Summary
On March 20, 1997, a Schweizer SGS 1-26E (N33WP) was involved in an incident near Benton, TN. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The failure of the pilot to maintain altitude and clearance from the trees on a ridge line.
On March 20, 1997, about 1430 eastern standard time, a Schweizer SGS 1-26E, N33WP, registered to a private person, crashed while gliding near Benton, Tennessee, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the private-rated pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Benton, Tennessee, the same day, about 1345.
The pilot stated he received a tow to 3,000 feet. After he released, he made passes back and forth along a ridge line for about 40 minutes. The wind on the ridge decreased during this time and he elected to head north back toward the valley and the gliderport.
This incident is documented in NTSB report MIA97LA101. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N33WP.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The failure of the pilot to maintain altitude and clearance from the trees on a ridge line.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On March 20, 1997, about 1430 eastern standard time, a Schweizer SGS 1-26E, N33WP, registered to a private person, crashed while gliding near Benton, Tennessee, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the private-rated pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Benton, Tennessee, the same day, about 1345.
The pilot stated he received a tow to 3,000 feet. After he released, he made passes back and forth along a ridge line for about 40 minutes. The wind on the ridge decreased during this time and he elected to head north back toward the valley and the gliderport. He was about 20 feet above the ridge and as he turned toward the valley he encountered sinking air. The glider descended and the a wing tip caught a tree. The glider spun around and nosed down into the trees. The glider came to rest nose down in the trees, about 20 feet off the ground. The pilot climbed down and was rescued.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MIA97LA101