LITTLEFIELD, TX, USA
N33915
SCHWEIZER SGS 1-26E
WITNESSES SAID THE PILOT COMPLETED A GLIDER COMPETITION LOW AND SLOW AT THE FINISH. THE PILOT TURNED LEFT ONTO THE DOWNWIND LEG, FOLLOWED BY A STEEP LEFT TURN AND NOSE PITCH DOWN. IMPACT OCCURRED NOSE LOW STILL TURNING LEFT.
On July 16, 1994, approximately 1735 central daylight time, a Schweizer SGS 1-26E, N33915, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while maneuvering at Littlefield, Texas. The commercial pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. According to the pilot's husband, his wife was participating in a glider competition. Because of her injuries, she had no recollection of the accident. Enclosed witness documents report that the glider crossed the finish fence low and slow and started a left turn at mid field to a downwind leg, followed by the left wing dropping and a nose down pitch. They related that impact was nose low, still turning left.
AN INADVERTENT STALL. FACTORS WERE LOW ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE DOWNWIND TURN.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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