Schleicher K6-CR accident near Lagrange, Georgia, September 12, 2004
On September 12, 2004 at about 5:30 pm local time, a Schleicher K6-CR (glider), registered N23Z, was substantially damaged in an accident near Lagrange, Georgia (Lagrange Callaway airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft which resulted in a stall and subsequent impact with terrain. Factors were the pilot's impairment due to marijuana and his unreported mental conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 12, 2004 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- Lagrange, Georgia · Lagrange Callaway · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schleicher K6-CR
- Registration
- N23Z · no longer on the register · serial 554
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The glider collided with the ground while turning from downwind to base. Witnesses observed the glider "zoom" up and then make a left turn to base; after about 60-degrees of turn the glider entered into a nose-low, left wing low, left hand rotational spin, colliding with the ground in an almost 90- degree nose-low attitude after completing about 270-degrees of rotation. The wreckage was located in a field about one-quarter mile short of runway 13. The wreckage was contained to an area equivalent to the gliders wingspan. The airplane was on it belly and the cockpit was crushed aft and into the center section of the fuselage. An indention in the ground containing cockpit debris was noted just forward of the gliders center section. Both wings as a unit had partially separated from the fuselage just aft of the cockpit area. The right wing was observed folded aft just inboard of the aileron. The vertical stabilizer was observed separated from the horizontal stabilizers and lying adjacent to its attach point to the horizontal stabilizers. Toxicology evaluation detected tetrahydrocannabinol (the primary active substance in marijuana) and its metabolite at levels consistent with very recent use, likely during or just prior to the flight. Toxicology evaluation also detected fluoxetine, a prescription antidepressant, and its metabolite at levels significantly higher than expected for even a maximal routine dose; and olanzapine, a prescription medication used for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (manic depression). The pilot did not indicate the use of prescription medications or the diagnosis of any mental conditions on his applications for airman medical certificate.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 502 hours in all; 63 in this make and model
- Last flight review: July 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 900 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 1, 2004; 50 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 670 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: LGC Lagrange GA at 4:30 pm
- Destination: LGC Lagrange GA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 13, 5,600 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 080° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 1,100 ft
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observation at 5:20 pm from LGC
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.