You can contribute by submitting additional or updated information.
| Date: | Monday 12 September 2022 |
| Time: | 14:18 |
| Type: |  Pipistrel Sinus 912 |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | N397R |
| MSN: | 1057 SFNM 912 LSA |
| Year of manufacture: | 2021 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 54 hours |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 2 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | near Soaring Club of Houston Gliderport (89TA), Waller, TX -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Approach |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Houston-David Wayne Hooks Airport, TX (DWH/KDWH) |
| Soaring Club of Houston Gliderport, TX (89TA) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
On September 12, 2022, about 1418 central daylight time, a Pipistrel Sinus 912 LSA powered glider, N397R, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Waller, Texas. The pilot sustained fatal injuries and the passenger sustained serious injuries. The glider was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
After an uneventful flight, the powered glider approached the grass airstrip to land. The passenger stated that the altitude seemed to be low during the approach. He stated that as the pilot started to turn the glider, the passenger felt that they were not going to land safely, and yelled to the pilot, “we are not going to make this.” The powered glider dropped down and seemed to stall. The passenger heard the engine rev up, and the powered glider collided with the ground.
Examination of the accident site showed evidence of a low-energy impact, consistent with a low-altitude stall. Examination of the airframe and flight controls did not reveal any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. Physical examination of the engine and downloaded engine data were consistent with normal engine operation.
Cannabis was detected in the toxicology testing of the pilot; however, since no THC or active THC metabolite was detected, it is unlikely that the pilot’s use of cannabis was recent enough to have contributed to the accident. The autopsy on the pilot revealed moderate to severe atherosclerosis of the pilot’s cerebral arteries, coronary arteries, and aorta, as well as chronic kidney and lung conditions. It could not be determined whether these conditions contributed to the accident. The passenger did not report any indications that the pilot was impaired or incapacitated.
Based on all available evidence, it is likely that the pilot attempted to extend the glide to the runway during the base turn to final, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control, which led to an aerodynamic stall at an altitude where recovery was not possible.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
https://abc13.com/waller-county-plane-crash-soaring-club-houston-sheriffs-office-howell-road-texas/12224669/
https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105916
https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=397R
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N397R
https://www.pipistrel-aircraft.com/products/gliders/sinus/
Location
Images:
Photo: NTSB
Media:
@TxDPSSoutheast is at the scene of a single engine plane crash at Waller Gladish and Howell Road in Waller Co.
— TxDPS - Southeast Texas Region (@TxDPSSoutheast) September 12, 2022
Two males aboard both being airlifted in critical condition. pic.twitter.com/7lW5KnTTKK
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 12-Sep-2022 21:11 | Captain Adam | Added |
| 13-Sep-2022 06:01 | GustheWalrus | Updated [Total fatalities, Embed code, Narrative, ] |
| 13-Sep-2022 11:47 | johnwg | Updated [Time, Source, Embed code, Narrative, Category, ] |
| 20-Oct-2022 20:22 | Captain Adam | Updated [Time, Source, Narrative, Plane category, ] |
| 21-Aug-2024 21:30 | Captain Adam | Updated [Time, Source, Narrative, Plane category, Accident report, Photo, ] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2025 Flight Safety Foundation