# NTSB LAX00LA217: Schweizer SGS-1-26, N3814A, Prescott, AZ, June 4, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 4, 2000, 15:20 local (22:20 UTC) - Place: Prescott, AZ - Coordinates: 33.609928, -111.88932 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6099&lon=-111.8893&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49358 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA217 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49358/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA217 ## Probable cause Diminished control during the landing phase of operation due to a partial blockage of the elevator controls by a microphone that became lodged in the control stick well. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final - flt control syst,elevator control - blocked(partial) (cause) - aircraft control - diminished, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, landing - object - fence ## Analysis After making a radio call from a handheld microphone on base to final, the pilot realized that she was a little high. She set the microphone down and placed both hands on the control stick in an effort to execute a sideslip to lose altitude. While attempting to flare and clear the airport boundary fence, the glider did not respond to back pressure applied to the control stick. The microphone was later found lodged in the control stick well. ## Factual narrative On June 4, 2000, about 1520 hours mountain standard time, a Schweizer SGS 1-26 glider, N3814A, sustained substantial damage after colliding with a fence while landing at Coyote Run Gliderport, near Prescott, Arizona. Prescott Soaring Association operated the glider under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The instructional flight departed Coyote Run about 1420. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that after making a radio call to advise traffic in the area that she was on base to final, she realized that she was a little high. In an attempt to lose altitude, she placed the microphone down and placed both hands on the control stick to execute a sideslip. While attempting to flare and clear the airport boundary fence, the glider did not respond to back pressure applied to the control stick. The glider contacted the airport fence and subsequently the ground in a 10-degree nose down pitch attitude, and then bounced 25 to 30 feet back into the air. The glider contacted the ground in a 10-degree nose down pitch attitude for a second time, and ground looped about 100 feet left of centerline. The microphone was later found lodged in the control stick well. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3814A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3814A), registered now, S/N 94, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schweizer SGS-1-26 - Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-26](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-26) (registry code 8050114) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 94 - Airframe hours: 2081 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Prescott Soaring Association - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Departed: AZ86 - Airport: AZ86, Coyote Run Gliderport, runway 17, 1,000 × 60 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 19; student; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 20 total, 20 in this make and model, 20 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 17° at 3 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 196 °F, dew point 97 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PRC, 7 nm away ## 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 20000604009029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000604009029A), Jun 4, 2000: Scwzer SGS126, Coyote Springs, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) During approach to landing, pilot reported final on the radio and did not stow the microphone. A slip to landing was performed and as the pilot rolled… ## Other investigations on N3814A (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 FTW66D0577](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW66D0577), Mar 13, 1966: Schweizer SGS126 (N3814A), Odessa, TX, 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.