SCHWEIZER SGS135 near Midlothian, TX — 2022-06-05
Final reportCEN22FA224
- Date
- 2022-06-05
- Location
- Midlothian, TX, USA
- Aircraft
- SCHWEIZER SGS135
- Registration
- N2817H
- Category
- Glider
- Highest injury
- Fatal
- Fatalities
- 1
- Phase of flight
- Landing
Probable cause
The pilot’s incapacitation by an aortic dissection (natural disease).
NTSB narrative
The pilot was found deceased in the undamaged glider following a landing to a field near the airport. Postaccident examination revealed an improperly secured aileron connection; however, despite being partially unseated, the ailerons clevis pin remained seated adequately to facilitate operation of the aileron. No other anomalies were detected with the airframe that would have precluded normal operation. Autopsy revealed that the pilot’s cause of death was aortic dissection associated with hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with blunt force injury contributing.
Analysis
- Primary failure mode
- Human factors
- First missed decision gate
- Pilot could have chosen to land in a safer area or called for assistance.
NTSB coding
Evidence available
- 4 docket documents
Docket documents4
- FRIEND OF PILOT STATEMENTinterview
- CASE FINDINGSother
- MEDICAL FACTUALreport
- TOXICOLOGICAL REPORTreport