# Accident 20200814013629A: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, Warner Springs, CA, August 14, 2020

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 14, 2020, 12:30 local time
- Place: Warner Springs, CA
- Airport: Warner Springs
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Descent
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 33.2844° N, 116.6697° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2844&lon=-116.6697&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7547, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7547) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Schweizer SGS 2-33A (registry code 8051606, https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-2-33a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: NONE (registry code 00000, https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 2-33A
- Reported engine: NONE NONE
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot, student
- Pilot flight hours: 33 total, 20 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR20CA273](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA273) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200814013629A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

GLIDER PILOT HAD NORMAL TAKE OFF AND RELEASED THE GLIDER OVER HOT SPRING AT APPROXIMATELY 63OO FEET MSL. AFTER THAT PILOT GAINED SOME MORE ALTITUDE AND HEADED TO A CLOUD A MILE NORTH OF LOCATION. THE CLOUD DID NOT WORK AS EXPECTED SO PILOT DECIDED TO HEAD TO THE AIRPORT. AT THAT POINT THE GLIDER WAS AT 6500 FEET MSL AND APPROXIMATELY 7NM FROM WARNER SPRINGS GLIDERPORT. AT THIS POINT THE PILOT WAS BELOW THE ALTITUDE REQUIRED TO GLIDE TO THE AIRPORT. THE PILOT DECIDED TO LOOK FOR A LANDING SPOT AND PUT DOWN THE GLIDER. THE AREA WAS A ROUGH TERRAIN NOT FAR FROM THE AIRPORT. IN THE LANDING PROCESS THE GLIDER GOT SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGED BUT IT HELD TOGETHER AND GAVE THE PILOT SOME PROTECTION. THE PILOT WAS RESCUED WITHOUT INJURIES.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR20CA273](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA273), Aug 14, 2020: Schweizer SGS233 (N7547), Warner Springs, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inability to maintain altitude due to a loss of thermal lift, which resulted in an off-airport landing.

## Other reports on N7547 (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19830306008359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830306008359A), Mar 6, 1983: Scwzer SGS233A (N7547), Fremont Sky Sai, CA, Minor damage. Glider pilot swerved off runway into muddy area during take off. Glider lifted off then slammed back into ground.
- [Accident 19730320007489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730320007489A), Mar 20, 1973: Scwzer SGS233A (N7547), Fremont, CA, Substantial damage. Flipped over prior to tkof roll.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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