Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to ensure the proper preflight assembly of the glider's wing attachment system, which resulted in substantial damage to the wing structure during flight.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he and three club members assembled the glider before the accidewnt flight, following the manufacturer's assembly procedures. After a preflight inspection and positive control check, the glider was towed and released. Approximately 10 minutes later, the pilot heard a sharp cracking sound and elected to return to the airport and land. A postflight examination revealed substantial damage to the wing spar root, wing, and fuselage.
During disassembly of the glider following the accident, the assembly crew noted that the right main wing pin was in its halfway position and had not been secured. The left main wing pin was fully inserted and secured. They noted that the in-flight structural damage was likely due to the right main wing pin not being fully seated and secured during assembly.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR26LA203 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 23, 2026
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Soap Lake, Washington
- Nearest airport
- In Flight About 5.5 Mile North (None)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Pzl-Swidnik PW-5
- N-number
- N157AJ
- Category
- Glider
- Year built
- 1998
- 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.