Schweizer SGS-1-26E N1142S

Summary

On 1 September 1996 at about 14:00 local time, a Schweizer SGS-1-26E registered N1142S, operated by Harris Hill Soaring Corp.,, was involved in an accident near Elmira, New York, 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.

Date

1 September 1996 at 14:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Elmira, New York, United States

Nearest airport

Harris Hill (4NY8)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Schweizer SGS-1-26E

Registration

N1142S

Category

Glider

Operator

Harris Hill Soaring Corp.,

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

IAD96LA142

1 person was seriously injured.

the pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude and airspeed during the landing approach, resulting in a stall/spin and subsequent encounter with an embankment.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that she had made two successful landings in the glider, and was on the third solo flight. According to the pilot, she was planning to land on runway 16, but decided at the last minute to change runways. She stated that the altitude and airspeed was inadequate to complete the landing on the new runway. She reported that she skidded the glider with the rudder to avoid banking too steeply and the combination initiated a stall and spin to the left. According to an FAA inspector, this was the pilot's third flight in this glider. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction, and the accident could have been prevented if she maintained a proper pattern airspeed, not change runways at the last minute, and not use a forward slip too low on final approach with the spoilers closed.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.