Pipistrel TAURUS and amateur-built DISCUS 2CT mid-air collision near Waller, Texas, February 1, 2024
On February 1, 2024 at about 8:30 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Pipistrel TAURUS (N984TP) and amateur-built DISCUS 2CT (N27GG), were involved in a mid-air collision near Waller, Texas (Soaring Club Of Houston Glider airport). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of both pilots to see and avoid one another while maneuvering, which resulted in a mid-air collision.
The failure of both pilots to see and avoid one another while maneuvering, which resulted in a mid-air collision.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 1, 2024 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Waller, Texas · Soaring Club Of Houston Glider · map
- Type
- Accident · mid-air collision
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Pipistrel TAURUS ELECTRO G2, built 2018 · all TAURUSs on the register
- Registration
- N984TP · registry record · serial 167TET
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Amateur-built DISCUS 2CT NO SERIES, built 2006
- Registration
- N27GG · registry record · serial 23
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Pipistrel TAURUS final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of a Pipistrel Taurus glider reported that, while turning right and climbing in a thermal, he saw another glider at his 10 o’clock position about the same altitude. He quickly turned right to avoid the other glider, but the Pipistrel’s left wing impacted the other glider’s right wing, resulting in substantial damage to both. The pilot flying the other glider, a Schempp-Hirth Discus-2CT, reported that he was in a right turn when he heard the impact. He stated that the Pipistrel was below him and he did not see it. Both pilots landed their gliders without further incident. Both glider pilots reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the gliders that would have precluded normal operation.
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 NTSB's narrative for the amateur-built DISCUS 2CT final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of a Pipistrel Taurus glider reported that, while turning right and climbing in a thermal, he saw another glider at his 10 o’clock position about the same altitude. He quickly turned right to avoid the other glider, but the Pipistrel’s left wing impacted the other glider’s right wing, resulting in substantial damage to both. The pilot flying the other glider, a Schempp-Hirth Discus-2CT, reported that he was in a right turn when he heard the impact. He stated that the Pipistrel was below him and he did not see it. Both pilots landed their gliders without further incident. Both glider pilots reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the gliders that would have precluded normal operation.
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 for the Pipistrel TAURUS from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Midair collision during maneuvering defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Aircraft › Effect on equipment
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring other aircraft › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, flight engineer
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 24,000 hours in all; 82 in this make and model
- Last flight review: June 5, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 115 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, May 20, 2023
- Maximum gross weight: 1,210 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Pipistrel Electro 40/30 (electric); 7 hours total
- Operator: Texas Soaring Bats LLC
The flight
- Departed from: 89TA Waller TX at 8:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 4,100 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from KDWH, 22 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KDWH 012053Z 18007KT 140V210 10SM FEW041 23/12 A3005
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
The factual record for the amateur-built DISCUS 2CT from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Midair collision during maneuvering defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Aircraft › Effect on equipment
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring other aircraft › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: glider; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 1,708 hours in all; 906 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 0 in the last 30 days; 1,696 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 26, 2023
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,448 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 24, 2023
- Maximum gross weight: 1,246 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on April 12, 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.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1-DOUGLASS | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1-YELDEZIAN | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N984TP the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.