CHURCHVILLE, MD, USA
N1124S
SCHWEIZER I-26E
AFTER SOARING FOR APRX 45 MINUTES THE STUDENT GLIDER PLT REALIZED THAT HE COULD NOT OBTAIN ENOUGH LIFT TO RETURN TO THE ARPT. HE SELECTED AN OPEN FIELD TO LAND IN. A WITNESS STATED THAT IT WAS OBVIOUS THE PLT WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CLEAR OBSTACLES PRIOR TO REACHING THE FIELD. HE STATED THAT THE GLIDER WAS DESCENDING TOWARD THE FIELD AND THE RIGHT WING DROPPED SLIGHTLY. THE GLIDER THEN FLIPPED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT, IMPACTED THE GROUND AND CARTWHEELED.
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING THE TURN FROM BASE TO FINAL APPROACH WHICH RESULTED IN THE WING CONTACTING THE GROUND AND THE GLIDER CARTWHEELING.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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