Schweizer SGS 2-32 accident near Bigfork, MT
On July 8, 2011, a Schweizer SGS 2-32 (glider) was involved in an accident near Bigfork, MT. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- July 8, 2011
- Place
- Bigfork, MT
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGS 2-32 · Glider
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 48.060°N, 114.001°W
- NTSB ID
- 20110708X10326
Official records · WPR11LA317
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 8, 2011, about 1721 mountain daylight time, a Schweitzer SGS2-32, N591CC, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain during takeoff initial climb following a practice low altitude rope release near the Ferndale Airport (53U), Bigfork, Montana. The airline transport rated pilot sustained fatal injuries and the airplane transport rated pilot examiner sustained serious injuries. The glider was registered to and operated by Wave Soaring Adventures Inc., Lake Tapps, Washington, under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight that was originating at the time of the accident. In a written statement submitted to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot examiner reported that the purpose of the flight was to renew the pilot’s flight instructor certificate. He reported that prior to the accident flight; he and the pilot conducted various maneuvers including stalls, steep turns, accelerated stalls, slow flight, and thermal climbs, followed by an uneventful landing on runway 15 as part of the checkride. The examiner stated that after landing, he briefed the tow plane pilot and the pilot receiving the check ride and conveyed that the next flight would be a simulated rope break during takeoff from runway 16. He added that they briefed that the release would be about 260 feet above the ground and that an airspeed of 75 miles per hour (mph) should be maintained during the right tu
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his excessive control inputs during a simulated rope break while taking off, which resulted in an accelerated aerodynamic stall.
More accidents in MT
- Pilatus PC-12/45, Mar 22, 2009
- Beech D18S, Jul 5, 1987
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- Beech V35B, Jun 24, 1982
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Browse: Montana · Schweizer aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
