# NTSB FTW97LA360: Schweizer SGS 1-34, N7636, Heber City, UT, September 23, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 23, 1997, 15:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Heber City, UT - Coordinates: 40.42974, -111.189926 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4297&lon=-111.1899&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20355 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA360 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20355/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA360 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper use of spoilers during the landing sequence. Factors were the embankment and the fence. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, landing - spoiler extension - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment (contributing factor) - object - fence (contributing factor) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he 'entered the pattern on a 45 degree diagonal intercept to the downwind leg of a left-hand pattern approach to runway 21.' He stated that he used the spoilers on downwind, base, and final approach, but 'continued to float down the entire runway due to ground effect.' The glider's center wheel bounced on the runway 2 or 3 times before the aircraft overran the runway and impacted an embankment and fence. The pilot reported that 'it appears that the spoilers were not extended.' He stated 'it is possible that I was pulling on the spoiler engagement lever without depressing the button at the top of the lever which unlocks the spoilers.' The pilot reported to the Investigator-In-Charge that he has 340 hours of flight time in aircraft, of which 25 hours is in gliders. The pilot further reported that he has 53 flights in gliders. ## Factual narrative On September 23, 1997, at approximately 1545 mountain daylight time, a Schwiezer SGS 1-34 glider, N7636, was substantially damaged following a landing overrun at Heber Valley Airport, near Heber City, Utah. The commercial pilot, sole occupant in the glider, was not injured. The glider was owned by Utah Soaring Association, Salt Lake City, Utah, and operated by the owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal local flight which originated approximately 1 hour, 45 minutes before the accident. No flight plan had been filed. According to the pilot, he "entered the pattern on a 45 degree diagonal intercept to the downwind leg of a left-hand pattern approach to runway 21." He stated that "I engaged the spoilers abeam the numbers on down wind." The pilot further reported that he used the spoilers on base leg and final approach, but "continued to float down the entire runway due to ground effect." The glider's center wheel bounced on the runway 2 or 3 times before the aircraft overran the runway and impacted an embankment and fence. The pilot reported in the NTSB's Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (form 6120.1/2) that "it appears that the spoilers were not extended." He stated that "it is possible that I was pulling on the spoiler engagement lever without depressing the button at the top of the lever which unlocks the spoilers." The pilot reported to the Investigator-In-Charge that he has 340 hours of flight time in aircraft, of which 25 hours is in gliders. The pilot further reported that he has 53 flights in gliders. ## 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: 2327 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Utah Soaring Assoc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 6, 1997, 184 hours before - Departed: 36U - Airport: 36U, Heber Valley Airport, runway 21, 6,900 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 340 total, 5 in this make and model, 283 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 3 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19970923028199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970923028199A), Sep 23, 1997: Scwzer SGS134, Heber, UT, Substantial damage. Overshot 7000FT runway landing. Struck a fence. Crosswind no help in slowing glider. ## 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 DEN83LA218](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA218), Sep 18, 1983: Schweizer SGS 1-34 (N7636), Park City, UT, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.