Schweizer SGS 1-26 accident near Mt. Graylock, Massachusetts, May 4, 1986
On May 4, 1986 at about 7:00 pm local time, a Schweizer SGS 1-26 (glider), registered N1140S, was substantially damaged in an accident near Mt. Graylock, Massachusetts. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 4, 1986 · about 7:00 pm local time
- Place
- Mt. Graylock, Massachusetts
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGS 1-26 · all SGS 1-26s on the register
- Registration
- N1140S · no longer on the register · serial 520
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING SIMULATED CROSS COUNTRY PASSES ON A RIDGE AT AN ALTITUDE OF 150 FT AGL ON THE WINDWARD SIDE OF A RIDGE IN A SCHWEIZER SGS 1-26 SAILPLANE. THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED A ROLL CONDITION FROM WHICH HE LOST CONTROL, WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER AND CRASHED INVERTED IN TREES. THE PRIVATE PILOT HELD AND AIRPLANE SINGLE ENGINE LAND RATING AND HAD A LOG BOOK ENDORSEMENT FOR SOLO FLIGHT IN GLIDERS, HOWEVER HE HAD NOT PASSED HIS PRIVATE PILOT GLIDER CHECKRIDE. THE PILOT, RESTRAINED BY A 5 POINT HARNESS RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES, WHILE THE AIRCRAFT RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.
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
- Flight time: 196 hours in all; 10 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 140 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: None NONE (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 2B6 North Adams MA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°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.