Schempp-Hirth Ventus 2b | N61XC
September 18th, 2026 | Edinburg, New York
Accident Location
- City: Edinburg
- State: New York
- Latitude: 43.221306
- Longitude: -74.104987
- Airport ID: 1F2
Aircraft Info
- N Number: N61XC
- Make: Schempp-Hirth
- Model: Ventus 2b
- Aircraft Category: Glider
- Amateur Built: No
Pilot Info
- PIC Name: Morzillo, James Lee
- Gender: Male
- Pilot Age: 80
- Pilot Hours:
- Flight School: No
- Instructional Flight: No
- Pilot Certification: Commercial Pilot
- IFR Rating: Yes
- Pilot Error: Yes
- Pilot Medical: Basic Med
- Pilot Incapacitation: No
Analysis
- Date: September 18th, 2026
- Time: 2:25 PM Local Time
- Day / Night: Day
- VMC / IMC: VMC
- Phase Of Flight: Maneuvering
- Total People Onboard: 1
- PIC Fatality: 1
- PAX Fatalities: 0
- Ground Fatalities: 0
- Total Fatalities: 1
- NTSB No: ERA26LA346
- NTSB Travel: Yes
- AQP Classification: 14) MID-AIR COLLISION, U-FIT
Probable Cause
DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the accident pilot did descend directly into the flight path of another glider while at around 5,000 feet MSL, and did cause the midair collision with ASW 24 N94CG. The pilot of the other Schleicher glider N94CG stated that there were four gliders flying in a thermal, and the accident pilot did descend from above and its left wing contacted the nose section of his glider. The left wing of the accident glider did shear off and then fell to the ground. The Schempp-Hirth accident aircraft came to rest in a wooded area about 5 miles north of 1F2. The right wing and empennage were located near the impact crater. The glider was fractured into several pieces. The left wing was not located.
NTSB: NONE
Recommendation
DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft rehearse and condition themselves to use vigilant see and avoid procedures when flying in close proximity to other similar type aircraft, all orbiting in the same basic area and searching for lift.
NTSB: NONE
DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.