# NTSB LAX01LA142: Schweizer 2-33A, N7778S, Peoria, AZ, April 8, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 8, 2001, 12:35 local (19:35 UTC) - Place: Peoria, AZ - Coordinates: 33.649154, -112.240791 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6492&lon=-112.2408&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 28, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 52035 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA142 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52035/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA142 ## Probable cause The glider's encounter with a dust devil during takeoff that resulted in a loss of control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - weather condition - dust devil/whirlwind (cause) - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff ## Analysis On takeoff, the glider encountered a dust devil, which resulted in the left wing to strike the ground, then lifting the glider about 50 feet into the air. The pilot released the tow line and the glider started a slow descending turn to the right until it struck the ground. ## Factual narrative On April 8, 2001, at 1235 hours mountain standard time, a Schweizer 2-33A, N7778S, sustained substantial damage when it collided with the ground at Pleasant Valley Airport, Peoria, Arizona. Boboquivari Soaring School, d.b.a. Turf Soaring School, was operating the glider under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 as a glider ride for a prospective student. The commercial pilot was not injured and one passenger sustained minor injuries. The glider was departing at the time of the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that during takeoff the glider encountered a dust devil, causing the left wing to strike the ground. It then lifted the glider 50 feet into the air. The pilot released the tow line and the glider started a slow descending turn to the right until it struck the ground, cracking the fuselage. The glider came to rest next to the runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7778S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7778S-2002-02-08), registration cancelled 2002-02-08, S/N 148, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schweizer 2-33A - Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-2-33a) (registry code 8051606) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 148 - Airframe hours: 15015 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Baboquivari Soaring School - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 2001, 39 hours before - Departed: AZ05, PEORIA, AZ - Destination: Peoria, AR - Airport: P48, Pleasant Valley Airport, runway 23, 1,500 × 50 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review December 30, 1999; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,832 total, 535 in this make and model, 3,671 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 49 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 5 knots, gusting 40 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 59 °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 20010408006019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010408006019A), Apr 8, 2001: Scwzer SGS233A, Peoria, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) During takeoff for a glider ride at turf soaring commercial rated glider pilot had experienced a large thermal passing the runway just as the glider… ## Other investigations on N7778S (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 LAX74DUJ59](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX74DUJ59), Apr 27, 1974: Schweizer SGS233 (N7778S), Phoenix, AZ, 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.