History of Flight
On June 5, 2022, about 1630 central daylight time, a Schweizer SGS 135C glider, N2817H, was undamaged when the pilot was found deceased after landing near Midlothian, Texas. The glider was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight by a member of the Texas Soaring Association (TSA). The pilot was launched via aerotow around 1500 that day. About 1700, the glider was found by another pilot as he landed at TSA Gliderport (TA11), Midlothian, Texas. The pilot was found strapped in his parachute and harness with the canopy closed despite temperatures exceeding 90°F. The glider was about 150 yards from the intended landing area in an open field. None of the other pilots recalled hearing any landing or distress calls from the pilot. The exact landing time was not determined.
Personnel Information
The pilot's logbook was not located during the investigation. His total experience in gliders could not be determined; however, he was an active member of the Texas Soaring Association and had owned gliders for over 14 years.
Aircraft Information
The glider's logbooks were not located, and the date of its most recent annual inspection was not determined.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Examination of the glider revealed no damage or evidence of a hard landing. The flaps were fully extended with the flap handle locked in the detent. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit controls to the control surfaces. Disassembly for transportation found that the LSP-1 safety pin was not installed to secure the clevis pin connecting the left aileron pushrod to the aileron idler horn. Despite being partially unseated, the clevis pin was seated adequately for aileron operation. The right aileron was properly secured. No other airframe anomalies were detected that would have precluded normal operations.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy performed by the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences at Dallas, Texas, determined the cause of death as aortic dissection associated with hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Blunt force injuries were also noted as contributing. The manner of death was ruled as accident. An aortic dissection is a complication of chronic high blood pressure, where a tear in the inner layer of the aorta allows blood to rush between layers, potentially interrupting blood flow. Toxicology testing identified amlodipine and alfuzosin in liver; amlodipine was also found in muscle tissue, but testing for alfuzosin in muscle was inconclusive. Testing was negative for ethanol. Amlodipine is used to treat high blood pressure and coronary artery disease; alfuzosin is used for enlarged prostate symptoms.