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Accidents · NTSB CEN22FA416 · Final report

Pipistrel Italia S R L SINUS 912 LSA accident near Waller, Texas, September 12, 2022

On September 12, 2022 at about 7:18 pm local time, a 2021 Pipistrel Italia S R L SINUS 912 LSA (glider), registered N397R, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern base) near Waller, Texas (Soaring Club Of Houston Glider airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).

The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged

The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control, which led to an aerodynamic stall at an altitude where recovery was not possible.

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
September 12, 2022 · about 7:18 pm local time
Place
Waller, Texas · Soaring Club Of Houston Glider · map
Type
Accident
Injuries
1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Pipistrel Italia S R L SINUS 912 LSA, built 2021
Registration
N397R · registry record · serial 1057 SFNM 912 LSA
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

After an uneventful flight, the powered glider approached the grass airstrip to land. The passenger stated that the altitude seemed to be low during the approach. He stated that as the pilot started to turn the glider, the passenger felt that they were not going to land safely, and yelled to the pilot, “we are not going to make this.” The powered glider dropped down and seemed to stall. The passenger heard the engine rev up, and the powered glider collided with the ground. Examination of the accident site showed evidence of a low-energy impact, consistent with a low-altitude stall. Examination of the airframe and flight controls did not reveal any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. Physical examination of the engine and downloaded engine data were consistent with normal engine operation. Cannabis was detected in the toxicology testing of the pilot; however, since no THC or active THC metabolite was detected, it is unlikely that the pilot’s use of cannabis was recent enough to have contributed to the accident. The autopsy on the pilot revealed moderate to severe atherosclerosis of the pilot’s cerebral arteries, coronary arteries, and aorta, as well as chronic kidney and lung conditions. It could not be determined whether these conditions contributed to the accident. The passenger did not report any indications that the pilot was impaired or incapacitated. Based on all available evidence, it is likely that the pilot attempted to extend the glide to the runway during the base turn to final, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

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

What happened, in order

  1. Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR pattern base) defining event

The NTSB's findings

  • Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Not attained/maintained
  • Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
  • Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot

Pilot

  • Certificate: commercial pilot
  • Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
  • Flight time: 200 hours in all; 50 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days
  • Medical certificate: None
  • Seat: left
  • Injury: fatal

The aircraft

  • Airframe total time: 54 hours
  • Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, April 28, 2022; 50 hours since
  • Maximum gross weight: 1,290 lb
  • Seats: 2
  • Landing gear: fixed
  • Engine: Rotax 912-UL2-1 (piston); 54 hours total

The flight

  • Departed from: DWH Houston TX at 6:56 pm
  • Flight plan: VFR

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Wind: from 350° at 8 knots
  • Visibility: 10 statute miles
  • Sky: clear
  • Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
  • Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
  • Observation at 2:15 pm from K11R, 21 miles away

Weather report (METAR): K11R 121915Z AUTO 35008KT 10SM CLR 32/17 A3002 RMK AO2 T03150168

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Flight crew1
Passengers1

Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report

12 documents, released by the NTSB on August 21, 2024. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.

#DocumentWhat it is
1 Surviving Passenger Statement CEN22FA416 PDF, 1 page · our copy View Download
2 Surviving Passenger Drawing of Accident Site CEN22FA416 PDF, 1 page · our copy View Download
3 Witness Statement CEN22FA416 PDF, 1 page · our copy View Download
4 Memorandum for the Record Accident Site and Aircraft Exam CEN22FA416 PDF, 2 pages · our copy View Download
5 Approximate Flight Track CEN22FA416 PDF, 1 page · our copy View Download
6 N397R Csv Data Table CEN22FA416 spreadsheet · our copy Download
7 Dynon Cockpit Display Factual Report CEN22FA416 PDF, 14 pages · our copy View Download
8 Cockpit Display Factual Report Attachment 1 Data Table CEN22FA416 data file · our copy Download
9 Medical Factual Memorandum for Record PDF, 5 pages · our copy View Download
10 Pilot Toxicology Report CEN22FA416 PDF, 1 page · our copy View Download
11 Memorandum for the Record Pilot Flight Time Information CEN22FA416 PDF, 1 page · our copy View Download
12 Investigative Photos CEN22FA416 PDF, 3 pages · our copy View Download

The same 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.