Schweizer SGS 1-26B N2478W

Summary

On 14 September 1995 at about 22:10 local time, a Schweizer SGS 1-26B registered N2478W was involved in an accident near Morgan, Utah, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 September 1995 at 22:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Morgan, Utah, United States

Coordinates

41.0109, -111.6693

Aircraft

Schweizer SGS 1-26B

Registration

N2478W

Category

Glider

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA95LA217

1 person died.

Failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering to land after a low altitude tow release, which resulted in a stall/spin and collision with terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The tow plane pilot reported that the glider released at an estimated altitude of 100-150 feet AGL, approximately midfield, during the takeoff/initial climb. Several witnesses observed the glider yawing/swerving back and forth and then release. The glider pilot executed a left turn back toward the runway. Witnesses reported that during the turn, the glider entered a stall/spin and impacted the ground. No mechanical malfunctions with either the glider's controls or the tow release hook mechanism were found. The tow rope was found to be intact following the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.