Schweizer SGS 1 26 N17909
5 May 2018 · Springfield, Vermont, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 5 May 2018 at about 18:30 local time, a Schweizer SGS 1 26 registered N17909, operated by New England Soaring Association Inc, was involved in an accident near Springfield, Vermont, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. 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 18:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Springfield, Vermont, United States
- Nearest airport
- Hartness State (Springfield) (VSF)
- Coordinates
- 43.3436, -72.5172
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGS 1 26
- Registration
- N17909
- Category
- Glider
- Year built
- 1972
- Operator
- New England Soaring Association Inc
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Springfield → Springfield
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- GAA18CA263
People
1 person had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Probable cause
The pilot’s inability to maintain sufficient altitude after the glider encountered downdrafts during the approach, which resulted in the glider striking trees.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
According to the glider pilot, the glider remained airborne for about 90 minutes before encountering downdrafts while he was pursuing a cumulous cloud system. He immediately attempted to return to the airport but had to select an off-airport landing site instead. During approach, the glider had "insufficient altitude" to clear trees on the west side of the field and collided with branches before impacting the ground. The glider sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left-wing spar. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Schweizer SGS-1 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Sep 2018 | Schweizer SGS 1 35 | Burnet, Texas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 27 Jun 2018 | Schweizer SGS 1 34 | Boulder, Colorado, United States | Soaring Society Of Boulder Inc | No injuries | - |
| 6 Jun 2021 | Schweizer SGS 1-35 | Wurtsboro, New York, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 8 Jul 2015 | Schweizer SGS 1 26B | Silver Springs, Nevada, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 20 Jun 2021 | Schweizer SGS 1-35 | Wellington, Colorado, United States | Smith Leonard I III | Minor injuries | - |
| 30 May 2015 | Schweizer SGS 1 26B | Mocksville, North Carolina, United States | Denaples John P | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Aug 2018 | Piper PA22 | Island Pond, Vermont, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 24 Aug 2018 | Maule MX7 | Post Mills, Vermont, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 14 Oct 2018 | Cessna 172 | Vergennes, Vermont, United States | Vermont Flight Academy | No injuries | - |
| 29 Aug 2018 | Schweizer SGS 2 32 | Morrisville, Vermont, United States | - | Fatal | 3 |
| 8 Sep 2018 | Bosko Wr/Bosko Ce SAFARI | Highgate, Vermont, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 20 Aug 2018 | Cessna 172 | Burlington, Vermont, United States | Vermont Flight Academy | No injuries | - |