Schweizer SGS 2-32 N591CC

Summary

On 8 July 2011 at about 23:21 local time, a Schweizer SGS 2-32 registered N591CC, operated by Wave Soaring Adventures Inc, was involved in an accident near Bigfork, Montana, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, 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

8 July 2011 at 23:21

Classification

Accident

Location

Bigfork, Montana, United States

Nearest airport

Ferndale Airfield (53U)

Coordinates

48.0603, -114.0011

Aircraft

Schweizer SGS 2-32

Registration

N591CC

Category

Glider

Operator

Wave Soaring Adventures Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Bigfork → Bigfork

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR11LA317

1 person died.

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his excessive control inputs during a simulated rope break while taking off, which resulted in an accelerated aerodynamic stall.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot examiner reported that the purpose of the flight was to renew the pilot’s flight instructor certificate; the accident flight was the second flight of the day. Prior to the accident flight, the examiner briefed the tow plane pilot and the pilot receiving the glider check ride that the next flight would be a simulated rope break during takeoff at an altitude of about 260 feet above the ground. The examiner reported that during takeoff, he released the tow rope at 260 feet and noticed that the glider’s airspeed was slowing. He informed the pilot to increase the airspeed and bank the glider until it was lined up with runway. The examiner stated that before the glider was aligned with the runway, the pilot made a quick control stick movement to the right, which caused an accelerated stall. Multiple witnesses observed the glider depart the airport uneventfully via a tow airplane. As the glider ascended through about 200 to 300 feet, it appeared to release from the tow rope. Shortly after, the glider was observed entering a steep right bank and descended into the ground. A postaccident examination of the airframe revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.