Probable cause
The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that while flying his glider, he was unable to maintain enough altitude to return to the departure airport, so he performed a forced landing to an alternate airport with a closed runway. During the landing rollout, the right wing of the glider struck a metal fence post, The glider pivoted and the left wing struck the barbed wire. The pilot said that he did not see the fence post because of the vegetation covering it. Both wings were substantially damaged. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN25LA271 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 19, 2025
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Kerrick, Texas
- Nearest airport
- Perkins-Protho Cimarron Ranch (5TE4)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
PW-5
- N-number
- N4426Z
- Category
- Glider
- Year built
- 1997
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.