N36204

Substantial
Minor

SCHWEIZER SGS 1-36S/N: 35

Accident Details

Date
Friday, May 28, 2010
NTSB Number
ERA10CA291
Location
Jacksonville, FL
Event ID
20100601X10226
Coordinates
30.218610, -81.876663
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The glider pilot’s delayed decision to divert following a loss of thermal lift.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
SCHWEIZER
Serial Number
35
Engine Type
None
Model / ICAO
SGS 1-36
Aircraft Type
Glider
No. of Engines
0
Seats
1
FAA Model
SGS 1-36

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
K & L SOARING LLC
Address
5996 STATE ROUTE 224
City
CAYUTA
State / Zip Code
NY 14824-9723
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot stated that his glider was towed to 3,000 feet above ground level (AGL) for a local soaring flight. He climbed the glider to 6,000 feet in a training area about 13 miles from the departure airport, where he "encountered sink." The pilot then obtained a landing clearance at an airport about 8 miles from his position, but the glider continued to sink, and struck an airport perimeter fence short of the landing runway. The off-airport landing resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage structures. According to the glider's Pilot Operating Manual, the maximum glide ratio at maximum gross weight was 31:1. The pilot reported there were no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures of the glider.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA10CA291