# NTSB NYC90LA115: Schweizer 1-26E, N126DB, Wallkill, NY, May 28, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1990, 15:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Wallkill, NY
- Coordinates: 41.600456, -74.160705 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6005&lon=-74.1607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36649
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36649/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA115

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILUE TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S DIVERSION OF ATTENTION.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A STUDENT PILOT FLYING A GLIDER WAS OBSERVED TO ENTER A SPIN WHILE TURNING BASE LEG FOR LANDING. RECOVERY WAS NOT ACCOMPLISHED PRIOR TO IMPACTING THE GROUND. WHEN INTERVIEWED AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE PILOT SAID 'I HAD TOO MANY THINGS ON MY MIND...'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N126DB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N126DB), registered now, S/N 516, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 1-26E
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-26E](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-26e) (registry code 8050124) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 516
- Airframe hours: 677
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: C. Dianne Black
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 24, 1989, 16 hours before
- Departed: 06N, MIDDLETOWN, NY
- Airport: 06N, Randall, runway 26, 2,800 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; student; seat: front; flight hours: 30 total, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots, gusting 8
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19900528017489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900528017489A), May 28, 1990: Scwzer SGS126E, Middletown, NY, Substantial damage. Stalled and spun in turning base to land. Pilot reported had too many things on his mind.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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