# NTSB LAX04CA246: Schweizer 1-35, N2874H, Sparks, NV, June 23, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 23, 2004, 16:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Sparks, NV - Coordinates: 39.871944, -119.700836 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8719&lon=-119.7008&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 59493 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA246 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59493/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA246 ## Probable cause the pilot's misjudgment of altitude and distance resulting in an undershoot of the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final - proper touchdown point - not obtained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The glider landed short of runway and impacted terrain. While turning onto base leg of the traffic pattern, the pilot noticed a significant decrease in ground speed, which he attributed to being the result of a strong headwind. Just before turning onto final approach, about 400 feet agl, the glider experienced an increase in sink rate and a decrease in airspeed (about 5 to 10 knots indicated airspeed). He lowered the nose in an effort to increase the airspeed and counteract the sink, but the glider continued toward the ground. Just before impacting the ground in a nose low attitude, the pilot pulled back on the stick in an effort to pitch the nose up and cushion the impact. The glider collided with terrain in a flat attitude. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions of failures with the aircraft. ## Factual narrative On June 23, 2004, about 1645 Pacific daylight time, a Schweizer 1-35, N2874H, landed short of the runway at the Air Sailing Gliderport, Sparks, Nevada. The pilot was operating the glider under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local personal flight originated from Sparks about 1420. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was attempting to land on runway 35. With an indicated airspeed (IAS) of about 60 knots, the pilot entered the downwind leg of the traffic pattern about 600 feet above ground level (agl). While turning on base leg, he noticed a significant decrease in ground speed, which he attributed to being the result of a strong headwind. He noted the windsock, located on the north end of the field, indicated calm wind conditions. The pilot further noted that just before turning onto final approach, about 400 feet agl, the glider experienced an increase in sink rate and a decrease in airspeed (about 5 to 10 knots IAS). He lowered the nose in an effort to increase the airspeed and counteract the sink, but the glider continued toward the ground. Just before impacting the ground in a nose low attitude, the pilot pulled back on the stick in an effort to pitch the nose up and cushion the impact. The glider collided with terrain in a flat attitude. As a result of the impact, the glider's canopy shattered, a wing bent, and the fuselage was damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions of failures with the aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2874H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2874H-2005-05-19), registration cancelled 2005-05-19, S/N 54, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schweizer 1-35 - Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-35](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-35) (registry code 8050148) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 54 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Michael Spielman - Registered owner: Dave Prather and Robert Spielman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Departed: NV23, Sparks, NV - Destination: NV23, Sparks, NV - Airport: NV23, Air Sailing Gliderport, runway 35 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; airline transport, military, commercial, private, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; flight hours: 2,543 total, 3 in this make and model, 43 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20040623015959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040623015959A), Jun 23, 2004: Scwzer SGS135, Sparks, NV, Substantial damage. (-23) After a 2:15 hr flight the pilot was on approach to a runway about 150 feet high when he encountered a wind shear from a microburst generated from a… 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.