# NTSB DEN83LA218: Schweizer SGS 1-34, N7636, Park City, UT, September 18, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 18, 1983, 12:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Park City, UT
- Coordinates: 40.639625, -111.490837 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6396&lon=-111.4908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16160
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA218
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16160/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA218

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - flare/touchdown
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE GLIDER DRAGGED A WING AND NOSED INTO THE GROUND BEFORE GROUND LOOPING DURING LANDING. THE PILOT SAID HE WAS LIFTED BY AN UPDRAFT DURING LANDING AND WAS RUNNING OUT OF LANDING SPACE SO HE TURNED TO AN ALTERNATE AREA. THE TURN WAS MADE AT 150-200 FT AGL & THE WINDS WERE GUSTING IN VELOCITY FROM 15 TO 25 KTS ACCORDING TO THE GROUND CREW. AS THE PLT LEVELED THE ACFT TO LAND IN A HAYFIELD THE LEFT WING DROPPED TO THE GROUND FOLLOWED BY THE NOSE. THE ACFT THEN GROUNDLOOPED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7636](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7636-2017-07-13), registration cancelled 2017-07-13, S/N 16, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 1-34
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-34](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-34) (registry code 8050146) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 16
- Airframe hours: 1091
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Utah Soaring Association
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 10, 1982
- Departed: 36U, HEBER CITY, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 913 total, 34 in this make and model, 877 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830918050229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830918050229A), Sep 18, 1983: Scwzer SGS134, Park City, UT, Substantial damage. Overshot planned landing on a golf course. Diverted to an open field. Dragged a wing landing. Glider ground looped.

## Other investigations on N7636 (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 FTW97LA360](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA360), Sep 23, 1997: Schweizer SGS 1-34 (N7636), Heber City, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper use of spoilers during the landing sequence. Factors were the embankment and the fence.

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.

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