Schleicher Alexander GMBH & CO ASH 26 E accident near Tullahoma, Tennessee, April 12, 2013
On April 12, 2013 at about 5:30 pm local time, a Schleicher Alexander GMBH & CO ASH 26 E (glider), registered N26EL, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Tullahoma, Tennessee (Tullahoma Regional Airport). 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 improper use of wing spoilers during approach resulting in an altitude loss and collision with a tree.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 12, 2013 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- Tullahoma, Tennessee · Tullahoma Regional Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schleicher Alexander GMBH & CO ASH 26 E · all ASH 26 Es on the register
- Registration
- N26EL · no longer on the register · serial 26243
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, he was on a one mile final approach to runway 36 at 800 feet with the glider engine stowed. He noted that the wind was changing and extended the flaps. The airspeed was between 55 and 60 knots when the airbrakes were extended to start a descent. The altitude was high and the glider began to descend at a rapid rate. The pilot closed the airbrakes to arrest the descent rate but realized he was to low and unable to land on the intended runway. The glider collided with a tree, and a post-accident examination revealed that the left wing was substantially damaged. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane 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 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Miscellaneous/other during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Altitude deviation during approach (VFR pattern final)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during approach (VFR pattern final)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › Drag control system › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 1,177 hours in all; 16 in this make and model; 2 in the last 90 days; 1,093 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 5, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 15 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 3, 2012; 4 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,200 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Diamond AE50R (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: THA Tullahoma TN at 4:30 pm
- Destination: THA Tullahoma TN
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 5:35 pm from THA, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.
Other NTSB records under N26EL the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ERA13CA310.