NTSB Factual Report

On November 17, 2016, about 1430 central standard time, a Schweitzer SGS 1-26E glider, N65968, was substantially damaged when it impact trees and terrain while maneuvering in the airport traffic pattern at Hawks Nest Airport (4TN3), Moscow, Tennessee. The airline transport pilot sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight, which was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

After an aerial tow to 3,000 feet above ground level (agl) the glider disconnected from the tow plane and the pilot flew for approximately 20 minutes between an altitude of 2,500 and 3,000 feet agl. A tow plane pilot, who witnessed the accident from the ground, observed the glider flight for approximately 20 minutes. He observed the glider enter a normal left downwind approach to runway 18. He further stated that he observed the glider execute a 360-degree right turn while on the base leg at about 300 feet agl. He reported that after the 360-degree turn, the glider made another 180-degree right turn which appeared to "develop into a slow spin" from about 100 feet agl; the glider descended into the trees. The pilot stated he could not recall the left base turn and had no recollection of the accident, but offered the possibility of wind shear as a cause. In addition, he indicated that he possibly made the turn to lose altitude. He further stated there were no mechanical irregularities or anomalies with the glider.

Post-accident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed the glider was upright and level on flat ground with both left and right wing leading edges pushed up against trees in an area approximately one quarter of a mile northeast of runway 18. Both wings were partially detached from the fuselage and 4 feet of the left outboard wing was crumpled. The right wing was crumpled and nearly severed mid-span. The empennage and rudder remained attached to the airframe and the cockpit sustained minor damage.

The pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land, multi engine land, and glider. His most recent FAA first-class medical certificate was issued on September 6, 2016. At the time of the accident, he reported a total flight experience of 8,500 hours total time with 17.4 hours in a glider and 1.6 hours in this make and model.

The single-seat, mid-wing, glider, serial number 608, was manufactured in 1974. Its most recent annual inspection was completed on December 15, 2015. At that time, the airframe had accumulated approximately 2,709 total hours of operation. The glider's flight manual detailed that its stalling speed in level flight was 28 mph. At a 20-degree bank, it was 29 mph, and at 30 and 45 degrees, it was 30 and 33.4 mph respectively.

The William L Whitehurst Field Airport (M08) Bolivar, Tennessee was located about 17 miles south of the accident site. The recorded weather at MJX, at 1425, was wind from 170 degrees at 7 knots, gusting to 14 knots, and a clear sky. The temperature was 27 degrees C; dew point 06 degrees C, and the altimeter setting was 29.97 inches Hg. An hour before the accident through an hour after, the winds remained steady from 170 degrees at 7 knots with gusts up to 15 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the glider’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin.