Aviation Crash Map

Schweizer SGS 126E N65932

4 August 1991 · Sutcliffe, Nevada, United States · Serious injuries

Summary

On 4 August 1991 at about 00:00 local time, a Schweizer SGS 126E registered N65932, operated by Nevada Soaring Assoc., Inc., was involved in an accident near Sutcliffe, Nevada, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

The record

Date
at 00:00
Classification
Accident
Location
Sutcliffe, Nevada, United States
Coordinates
39.9091, -119.6810
Aircraft
Schweizer SGS 126E
Registration
N65932
Category
Glider
Operator
Nevada Soaring Assoc., Inc.
Operating rule
Part 91: General Aviation
Purpose of flight
Personal
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Route
Sparks → Unknown
Aircraft damage
Substantial
Weather
VMC
Light
Day
NTSB number
LAX91LA346

People

1 person was seriously injured.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
1 0 1 0 0

Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT STALL OF THE GLIDER.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE CERTIFICATED COMMERCIAL PILOT, THE SOLE OCCUPANT, WAS PARTICIPATING IN A GLIDER COMPETITION WHEN THE LOSS OF THERMAL LIFT NECESSITATED AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING. THE PILOT OVERSHOT HIS INTENDED LANDING POINT ON A ROAD AND BEGAN A MANEUVERING TURN TO AGAIN LINE UP ON THE ROAD. DURING THE TURN, THE PILOT STALLED THE GLIDER ABOUT 75 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, DESCENDING IN ABOUT A 60 DEGREE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AND ROTATING CLOCKWISE ABOUT ITS VERTICAL AXIS. THE GLIDER STRUCK THE GROUND, CRUSHING THE NOSE AND OUTBOARD PORTION OF THE RIGHT WING. THE GLIDER WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AND THE PILOT RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

Other Schweizer SGS-126E accidents

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
31 May 1990 Schweizer SGS-126E
N2958H
Warrenton, Virginia, United States
no coordinates
- Minor injuries -
17 Feb 1985 Schweizer SGS-126E
N33883
Reno, Nevada, United States
no coordinates
- No injuries -
27 Aug 2002 Schweizer SGS-126E
N126CR
Ionia, Michigan, United States - No injuries -

Other accidents in this area

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
24 Jul 1991 Piper PA-32-300
N72JP
Reno, Nevada, United States Joseph Pastuszek No injuries -
27 Jul 1991 Beechcraft V-35
N2037W
Minden, Nevada, United States Sanford Friezner Serious injuries -
25 Aug 1991 Hiller UH12D
N100HH
Sparks, Nevada, United States Pathfinder Technology Inc. No injuries -
6 Jun 1991 Boeing 737-3G7
N304AW
Elko, Nevada, United States America West Airlines Serious injuries -
12 Sep 1991 North American AT-6G
N29931
Reno, Nevada, United States James A. Mott Minor injuries -
28 Jan 1991 Maule M5-180C
N5653Y
Owayhee, Nevada, United States Owen, Blanton H. No injuries -

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