Schweizer SGS 1-35 accident near Erwinna, Pennsylvania, August 14, 1990
On August 14, 1990 at about 5:03 pm local time, a Schweizer SGS 1-35 (glider), registered N34461, was destroyed in an accident near Erwinna, Pennsylvania (Van Sant airport). 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
INADVERTENT RELEASE OF THE TOW LINE AT LOW ALTITUDE. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE LANDING IN UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 14, 1990 · about 5:03 pm local time
- Place
- Erwinna, Pennsylvania · Van Sant · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGS 1-35 · all SGS 1-35s on the register
- Registration
- N34461 · no longer on the register · serial 41
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING TAKEOFF ROLL THE TOW ROPE BECAME SLACK AND AS THE GLIDER STARTED ITS INITIAL CLIMB OUT TO ABOUT 50 FEET A.G.L. THE ROPE SLIPPED AFT OFF OF THE TOW HOOK. DURING THE OFF AIRPORT LANDING, THE NOSE TOUCHED A HIGH MOUND OF DIRT, DROPPING THE LEFT WING. THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND THE GLIDER SKIDDED ABOUT 40 FEET ON THE RIGHT WING COMING TO REST IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF LANDING.
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: rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 439 hours in all; 350 in this make and model; 17 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 350 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 665 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: 9N1
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: not recorded; clear
- 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.