Schweizer SGS-1-26B accident near Unionville, Pennsylvania, April 26, 1990
On April 26, 1990 at about 6:45 pm local time, a Schweizer SGS-1-26B (glider), registered N9856E, was substantially damaged in an accident near Unionville, Pennsylvania. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE LOSS OF THERMAL LIFT WHICH NECESSITATED A FORCED LANDING ON UNSUITABLE TERRAIN COVERED BY TREES AND HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 26, 1990 · about 6:45 pm local time
- Place
- Unionville, Pennsylvania · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGS-1-26B · all SGS-1-26Bs on the register
- Registration
- N9856E · registry record · serial 322
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
WHILE MAINTAINING AN ALTITUDE OF 1500 FEET, LIGHT RAIN WAS ENCOUNTERED AND THE GLIDER BEGAN LOSING LIFT. A DECISION WAS MADE TO LAND IN THE VALLEY THAT PARALLELED THE GLIDERPORT. DURING ROLL OUT AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE GROUND DROPPED CAUSING THE GLIDER TO BECOME AIRBORNE AGAIN, AND ANOTHER LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED IN ANOTHER FIELD. HOWEVER, THE GLIDER STRUCK SOME TREES AND WAS DAMAGED.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 2,225 hours in all; 100 in this make and model; 1,000 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 600 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Julian PA at 1:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°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.