Mid-Air Collisions

We can reduce our chances for an accident if we’re willing to be honest with ourselves about the inherent risks of soaring, and the number of the soaring community we lose every year. A familiarity with accident data helps us stay aware that accidents happen to pilots of all experience levels, and in all phases of flight. Reading about specific accidents and thinking about what we can do to learn from other’s is an excellent way to reduce our chances of stepping in the same hole.

The following is a list of mid-air collisions (reported to the NTSB, FAA, Canadian authorities and others) over the last few decades involving sailplanes in the United States. To examine the details of the events, click on the highlighted NTSB Accident Number from the beginning of each line.

Glider with Glider

CEN10LA459A 08/04/2010 Batesville, TX, VENTUS-2B and ASW 27-18

WPR10LA294B 06/15/2010 Parowan, UT, VENTUS 2CT ASH 26 E

DEN08LA137A 08/09/2008 Brackettville, TX, Ventus 2A AB Genesis 2

SEA04LA063A 04/01/2004 Oso, WA, Libelle 201B and DG-400

FTW91FA131A 07/31/1991 MEDINA, TX, DISCUS-B and PZL 55-1

CHI91FA212A 07/07/1991 HINCKLEY, IL, PEGASUS 101B and KESTREL 19

SEA88LA128A 07/12/1988 MINDEN, NV, DISCUS B and DISCUS A

NYC88LA125A 04/09/1988 FAIRFIELD, PA, ASW-20 and ASW-20

ATL88LA149A 04/22/1988 CHESTER, SC, LS-4 and Cirrus

NYC86FA114A 04/28/1986 JULIAN, PA, DG-400 and SGS-1-26B

SEA84FA172A 07/12/1984 EPHRATA, WA, VENTUS A and ASW 20 B

SEA84LA159A 07/03/1984 EPHRATA, WA, ZUNI II and ASW-20

LAX83FA242A 05/22/1983 BRIDGEPORT, CA, STANDARD CIRRUS and STANDARD CIRRUS

LAX82DA335A 09/05/1982 CALIFORNIA CITY, CA, VENTUS and  ASW-20

LAX82FA136B 04/15/1982 TULARE, CA, Grob ASTIR II and  ASW-20

Glider with Tow Plane

WPR10FA068A 11/28/2009 Middletown, CA, ASW-27 and PIPER Pawnee

LAX08LA254A 08/02/2008 Jean, NV,  SGS 2-33A and PIPER Pawnee

IAD99FA041A 05/01/1999 HILLTOWN, PA, Cessna 305A and  Grob G-103 

LAX87LA224A 05/30/1987 FREMONT, CA,  BELLANCA 7KCAB and SGS 2-32

CHI84FA225A 06/09/1984 STANTON, MN, AS-K13 and PIPER PA-18A

Glider with Other Airplane 

A13PO127    29 June 2013, Pemberton, British Columbia, C152 and Stemme S10

CEN10FA115C 02/06/2010 Boulder, CO, SGS 2-32, Piper Pawnee and Cirrus SR20

LAX06FA277A 08/28/2006 Smith, NV, Hawker Jet and ASW27-18

LAX99LA204A 05/30/1999 MESA, AZ, Cessna 172 and SUPER DIMONA

ANC04FA016A 12/28/2003 Peoria, AZ, Piper J3 and ASK-21

MIA99LA051A 12/19/1998 OKEECHOBEE, FL, Cessna 172 and Blanik L-13

FTW96FA279A 06/29/1996 BOULDER, CO, RV-6 and Grob G103

LAX96LA343B 09/20/1996 TRUCKEE, CA, Grob 102 and Aero Commander 690

LAX86MA186A 04/20/1986 WARNER SPRINGS, CA,  A7E Jet and LS-4

Near Mid-Air Collisions

FAA Report 06/01/2014 Between Colorado Springs and Denver, CO, Cessna Citation and Glider