Schweizer SGS-1-26B N9856E
26 April 1990 · Unionville, Pennsylvania, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 26 April 1990 at about 18:45 local time, a Schweizer SGS-1-26B registered N9856E, operated by Jerome E. Ruthman, was involved in an accident near Unionville, Pennsylvania, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 18:45
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Unionville, Pennsylvania, United States
- Coordinates
- 39.9000, -75.7407
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGS-1-26B
- Registration
- N9856E
- Category
- Glider
- Operator
- Jerome E. Ruthman
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Julian → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- NYC90LA092
People
1 person had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE LOSS OF THERMAL LIFT WHICH NECESSITATED A FORCED LANDING ON UNSUITABLE TERRAIN COVERED BY TREES AND HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
WHILE MAINTAINING AN ALTITUDE OF 1500 FEET, LIGHT RAIN WAS ENCOUNTERED AND THE GLIDER BEGAN LOSING LIFT. A DECISION WAS MADE TO LAND IN THE VALLEY THAT PARALLELED THE GLIDERPORT. DURING ROLL OUT AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE GROUND DROPPED CAUSING THE GLIDER TO BECOME AIRBORNE AGAIN, AND ANOTHER LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED IN ANOTHER FIELD. HOWEVER, THE GLIDER STRUCK SOME TREES AND WAS DAMAGED.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Schweizer SGS-1 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 Aug 1990 | Schweizer SGS 1-35 | Erwinna, Pennsylvania, United States | Richard Allen Giboney | Minor injuries | - |
| 23 May 1990 | Schweizer SGS 1-26 | Waialua, Hawaii, United States | Soar Hawaii, Ltd. | No injuries | - |
| 4 Jun 1990 | Schweizer SGS 1-26B | Truckee, California, United States | Robert L. Tanner | Fatal | 1 |
| 2 Jun 1990 | Schweizer SGS 1-26E | Montevallo, Alabama, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 23 Jul 1989 | Schweizer SGS 1-26E | Alabaster, Alabama, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 12 Jun 1991 | Schweizer SGS 1-34 | Highland, Illinois, United States | St. Louis Soaring Assn, Inc. | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Jul 1990 | Aeronca 7BCM | Doylestown, Pennsylvania, United States | Edward Cole | No injuries | - |
| 16 Jul 1990 | Piper PA-23-150 | Radnow Township, Pennsylvania, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 22 Jul 1990 | Cessna 340A | Prospect, Pennsylvania, United States | Brennan Aviation Corp. | No injuries | - |
| 26 Jul 1990 | Cessna 180 | Hilltown, Pennsylvania, United States | JOE A. Bawduniak | Minor injuries | - |
| 2 Aug 1990 | Piper PA-28-151 | Mt Pocono, Pennsylvania, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 4 Aug 1990 | Piper PA-28-140 | Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania, United States | Raymond L. Corper | No injuries | - |