Schweizer SGS1-26B accident near Midlothian, Texas, February 20, 2005
On February 20, 2005 at about 8:45 pm local time, a Schweizer SGS1-26B (glider), registered N7569, was substantially damaged in an accident near Midlothian, Texas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's misjudgment in distance/altitude and his failure to maintain clearance from a tree while on final to approach to landing. Contributing factors were the lack of thermal lift and the gusty wind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 20, 2005 · about 8:45 pm local time
- Place
- Midlothian, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGS1-26B · all SGS1-26Bs on the register
- Registration
- N7569 · registry record · serial 469
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The 360-hour private pilot reported that he was unable to find any thermal lift to assist in gaining altitude to return to the gliderport. The pilot then selected a nearby open field suitable for landing. The pilot stated that while on final approach to the open field, he experienced gusty headwinds resulting in an "excessive sink rate." At an altitude of approximately 30 feet above ground level, the outer portion of the left wing struck the top of a tree. Subsequently, the glider nosed over and impacted the ground. The pilot stated that the wind at the time of the accident was from the southwest at approximately 15 knots, gusting to 20 knots.
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: rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 360 hours in all; 360 in this make and model; 2 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: June 6, 2003
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,414 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 2004
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine:; 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Midlothian TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.