Szybowcowy Zaklad Do SZD-36A accident near Sylacauga, Alabama, March 31, 2007
On March 31, 2007 at about 8:30 pm local time, a Szybowcowy Zaklad Do SZD-36A (glider), registered N6SZ, was substantially damaged in an accident near Sylacauga, Alabama (Merkel Field Sylacauga 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 improper installation of the left wing attachment pin, which allowed it to disengage during cruise flight, resulting in wing separation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 31, 2007 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Sylacauga, Alabama · Merkel Field Sylacauga Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Szybowcowy Zaklad Do SZD-36A
- Registration
- N6SZ · no longer on the register · serial W813
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Witnesses stated that the glider had been airborne for about 30 minutes when they observed both wings fold up, and the glider descend out of control until impacting into a rock quarry. The wings were located about 1/2-mile north of the impact crater on the upper rim of the quarry. Examination of the wreckage revealed that during assembly, the lower attach pin had failed to enter the lower attachment hole on the left wing. The misalignment allowed the pin to rest on the top surface of the left wing attach lug in a clamping action. Examination of the mechanism that actuates the movement of both pins found that there had been two tabs located above the center pivot, and these two tabs were not found. Examination of the area where the two tabs were missing disclosed that these tabs had been missing for an extended period of time, as the upward motion of the mechanism (center pivot) had machined into the surface above where the upper tabs should have been located. The misalignment of the attach pin in the lower attachment hole allowed the left wing to move upwards to about 45 degrees and separate.
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: 685 hours in all; 36 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 556 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, June 1, 2006; 19 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 849 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine:; 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SCD Sylacauga AL at 8:00 pm
- Destination: SCD Sylacauga AL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 4,200 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from EET
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.