Dg Flugzeugbau DG-500MB accident near Robertsdale, Alabama, August 24, 2019
On August 24, 2019 at about 8:40 pm local time, a 2005 Dg Flugzeugbau DG-500MB (glider), registered N165MB, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Robertsdale, Alabama (Elsanor Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Impact with trees during the landing approach for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 24, 2019 · about 8:40 pm local time
- Place
- Robertsdale, Alabama · Elsanor Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Dg Flugzeugbau DG-500MB, built 2005
- Registration
- N165MB · no longer on the register · serial 5E247B23
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot and passenger onboard the glider could not recall the events of the accident flight due to their injuries, and there were no witnesses to the accident. The glider was found substantially damaged among trees east of the runway. The landing gear and airbrakes were found in the extended positions, and the engine and propeller were stowed. An examination of the wreckage did not reveal evidence of a mechanical malfunction or anomaly 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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 542 hours in all; 1.5 in this make and model; 14.5 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: August 24, 2019
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 11 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 18, 2019; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,819 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Solo Solo 2625 02 (piston); 9 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 1AL4 Robertsdale AL
- Destination: 1AL4 Robertsdale AL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 09, 2,400 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 75°F (24°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from PNS, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
10 documents, released by the NTSB on February 23, 2022. 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 | Insurance Company Pilot Report | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 2 | FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | NTSB Memorandum for Record Pryor | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Excerpts - Pilot Logbook | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Excerpts - Maintenance Logbook | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Photo Array | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Wreckage Diagram | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Wreckage Examination | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Recorded Flight Data Report | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 10 | Evidence Control Form | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.