Amateur-built STANDARD CIRRUS accident near Groveland, Florida, April 7, 2020
On April 7, 2020 at about 6:00 pm local time, a 1972 amateur-built STANDARD CIRRUS (glider), registered N271BL, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Groveland, Florida (Seminole Lake airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s exceedance of the glider’s critical angle of attack following his premature termination of the tow for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin during a turn back to the departure airport.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 7, 2020 · about 6:00 pm local time · cases in 2020
- Place
- Groveland, Florida · Seminole Lake · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built STANDARD CIRRUS Undesignat, built 1972
- Registration
- N271BL · registry record · serial 271
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the tow pilot, while climbing through about 500 ft above the ground during takeoff, they encountered an area of turbulence and the glider got “low on the tow” and out of view in his mirror. He then felt the glider release from the tow. Witnesses stated that the glider released from the tow at "low" altitude and turned back toward the gliderport when the nose of the glider pointed “down," and the glider descended vertically from view. Examination of the wreckage confirmed continuity to all flight control surfaces and revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies. Review of the pilot’s logbook revealed a total of 49 flights. Of those flights, 44 were performed in two-seat gliders. The pilot had recorded five flights in the accident glider, all of which included an aerotow to a release altitude of either 2,500 or 3,000 ft agl. There was no evidence to indicate that the pilot had performed any simulated takeoff emergencies in the accident glider make and model. A number of different mechanical, operational, and environmental factors can result in an early termination of a tow; however, the reason the pilot terminated the tow could not be determined based on available evidence. Witness descriptions of the glider’s flight after release are consistent with the pilot exceeding the critical angle of attack while maneuvering toward the runway, 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
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during maneuvering defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Related operating info
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 110 hours in all; 19 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: 6FL0 Groveland FL
- Destination: 6FL0 Groveland FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 3,000 ft by 200 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 060° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 6:15 pm from ZPH, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 4 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photo 1 – View of Initial Ground Scar and Main Wreckage (FAA)
Photo 2 – View of Linear Ground Scar (FAA)
Photo 3 – View of Main Wreckage as Found (FAA)
Photo 4 – View of Tow Rope (FAA)The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
12 documents, released by the NTSB on March 17, 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 | Tow Pilot Statement | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 2 | Tow Pilot Email Statement | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 3 | Witness Statements | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 4 | Memorandum for Record Gliderport Vp | PDF, 4 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 5 | Wreckage Exam NTSB Investigator Memorandum for Record | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 6 | Pilot's Logbook (Glider) | PDF, 8 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 7 | Soaring Safety Foundation Excerpt | PDF, 2 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 8 | Maps of Accident Area | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 9 | Photo Array | PDF, 4 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 10 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 11 | Electronic Devices Specialist's Factual Report | PDF, 4 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 12 | Evidence Control Form | PDF, 2 pages · our copy | View Download |
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N271BL on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Seminole Lake · nearest airport
- Accidents and incidents in Florida 6,111 since 1982 · 985 in the last ten years
- Florida 21,705 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/ERA20LA145.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.