Schweizer SGS 1-35 accident near Eighty Four, Pennsylvania, May 28, 2006
On May 28, 2006 at about 8:48 pm local time, a Schweizer SGS 1-35 (glider), registered N91MC, was substantially damaged in an accident near Eighty Four, Pennsylvania (Bandel 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 incapacitation, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control during approach, and subsequent collision with trees.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 28, 2006 · about 8:48 pm local time
- Place
- Eighty Four, Pennsylvania · Bandel Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGS 1-35 · all SGS 1-35s on the register
- Registration
- N91MC · no longer on the register · serial 37
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During a left turn from base leg to final leg, the left wing and nose of the glider dropped below the horizon. The glider then descended rapidly into trees from approximately 800 feet agl. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. At the time of the accident, the pilot was 72 years of age, and had accumulated approximately 1,100 hours of glider experience; of which, about 7 hours were accumulated during the 30 days preceding the accident. The pilot had a mechanical mitral valve replacement nearly 5 years prior to the accident, disqualifying him from holding an FAA medical certificate. However, the FAA Aerospace Medical Certification Division, after review, authorized a special issuance third-class medical certificate. The mechanical replacement valve significantly increased the pilot's cumulative risk of a stroke, which would likely not be detectable on autopsy if it occurred just prior to impact.
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: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 1,200 hours in all; 7 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: May 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 739 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 1, 2005; 16 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 660 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine:; 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 22D Eighty Four PA at 8:00 pm
- Destination: 22D
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 01, 2,260 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observation at 8:55 pm from AFJ, 10 miles away
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.