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GAA18CA263

2018-05-05 · Springfield, Vermont, United States · Minor · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport VSF

Current FAA registration · N17909

Make / Model
SCHWEIZER SGS 1-26E
Year of manufacture
1972 · 46 years old at event
Engine
NONE NONE
Seats / Engines
1 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19720713
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A13D16

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s inability to maintain sufficient altitude after the glider encountered downdrafts during the approach, which resulted in the glider striking trees.

Factual narrative

According to the glider pilot, he remained airborne for about 90 minutes before encountering downdrafts while 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 airplane 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. 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. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Altitude-Attain/maintain not possible - C
  • C Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Temp/humidity/pressure-Thermal lifting-Effect on operation - C
  • C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Tree(s)-Effect on operation - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2018_GAA18CA263.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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