# NTSB NYC92LA126: Schweizer 1-26E, N2781H, Waynesboro, VA, June 23, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1992, 16:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Waynesboro, VA
- Coordinates: 38.06031, -78.900184 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0603&lon=-78.9002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37179
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37179/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA126

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL WHILE ON APPROACH.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE, AN IMPROPERLY PLANNED APPROACH, AND THE GUSTY WINDS.

## 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 - final approach
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - uphill

## Analysis

THE GLIDER PILOT WAS RETURNING FOR A LANDING ON RUNWAY 23.  THE PILOT REPORTED THE WINDS AS BEING FROM 260 DEGREES AT 13 KNOTS, WITH GUSTS TO 20 KNOTS.  PRIOR TO THE LANDING AREA, THE TERRAIN SLOPES DOWNWARD.  A WITNESS OBSERVED THE GLIDER ON FINAL AND DESCRIBED IT AS, 'VERY LOW AND SLOW.'  THE FAA REPORTED THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO STRETCH HIS GLIDE AND STALLED THE GLIDER.  THE GLIDER DESCENDED INTO RISING TERRAIN.  THE PILOT'S TOTAL TIME WAS 45 HOURS WITH 21 HOURS AS PILOT-IN-COMMAND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2781H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2781H), registered now, S/N 671, built 1977 (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: 671
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Augusta Aviation
- Registered owner: Carl M. Rohmann
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 1900
- Airport: W13, Waynesboro, runway 23, 2,009 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; seat: front; flight hours: 45 total, 21 in this make and model, 21 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 13 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19920623056909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920623056909A), Jun 23, 1992: Scwzer SGS126E, Waynesboro, VA, Substantial damage. Too low and slow on approach. Stalled and impacted 30 degree slope short of runway.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.