Probable cause
The student pilot's delayed decision that resulted in insufficent altitude to return to the departure airport.
NTSB analysis
The student glider pilot was towed to an altitude of 3,000 feet above ground level and 2 miles from the departure airport, before releasing for a training flight in the local area. Unable to locate sustained lift, the student pilot returned to the airport for landing. The student pilot "thought that [she] had sufficient altitude to safely return to [departure airport]"; however, the glider contacted trees and terrain near the airport. Examination of the glider revealed both composite wings and the fuselage were substantially damaged. The student pilot stated there were no anomalies with the glider prior to the accident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN10CA388 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 10, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Waynesville, Ohio
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Schweizer SGS 1-26B
- N-number
- N2429W
- Category
- Glider
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.