Pilot Debrief

PZL-SWIDNIK PW-5 near Soap Lake, WA — 2026-05-23

Final reportWPR26LA203
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Date
2026-05-23
Location
Soap Lake, WA, USA
Aircraft
PZL-SWIDNIK PW-5
Registration
N157AJ
Category
Glider
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

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 narrative

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.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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