# NTSB LAX07CA086: Schweizer SGS 2-3C, N2438W, Jean, NV, February 9, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 9, 2007, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Jean, NV - Coordinates: 36.080867, -115.140525 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0809&lon=-115.1405&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 29, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 65296 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA086 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65296/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA086 ## Probable cause the tow hook jamming and failing to release from the glider. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb - glider launch/tow equipment - jammed (cause) - glider/tow release - not possible, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The glider hit the ground hard at a steep vertical angle when the tow hook jammed sideways, and failed to release. The pilot set up a winch and cable ground launch system. He spent about 1.5 hours inspecting, removing, and repairing the winch cable. He launched to the east, released at 1,400 feet agl, made a 5-minute flight, and landed. He moved the cable and winch to set up for a launch to the west. He requested a 65 mph cable speed; he cleared the pattern and midfield from both ends via radio. The takeoff was normal to 700 feet agl. The glider entered a thermal, and experienced a strong surge in rate of climb. The airspeed decreased to 50 mph, and then to 44 mph. He requested that the ground personnel adjust the winch for more speed, but he did not see an airspeed increase. He dove the glider to 60 mph, and requested more speed again. He noticed the airspeed getting slower despite a nose down attitude, which he assumed was from the cable weight with no cable forward pull. As he made a third request for an increase in winch speed, he simultaneously pushed the nose down, and pulled the cable release. He did not hear a click, so he assumed that the cable had already back released. Looking forward, he noticed that he was getting very close to the winch and parked vehicles. His altitude was now below 400 feet agl; he elected to turn away for a downwind landing. He turned away, and was perpendicular to the winch. He saw his shadow on the ground, and was surprised and alarmed to see that the winch cable was still attached to the underside of glider. He pulled the release again, but the cable became taught. He felt no release, and the cable was pulling the glider quickly toward the ground. The control responses decreased. He unsuccessfully attempted to dive and build enough airspeed to break the cable's weak link. The nose responded momentarily when he pulled back on the control stick. He thought that he detected a very brief forward motion rather than down motion; however, the glider hit the ground hard. ## Factual narrative On February 9, 2007, about 1430 Pacific standard time, a Schweizer SGS 2-3C glider, N2438W, collided with terrain near Jean, Nevada. The pilot was operating the glider under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries; the glider sustained substantial damage. The local personal flight was departing. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot submitted a written report. He arrived at the launch site about 1030, and set up a winch and cable ground launch system. He spent about 1.5 hours inspecting, removing, and repairing the winch cable. About 1200, he launched to the east on a normal climb, and released at 1,400 feet agl. He made a 5-minute flight and landed. The pilot moved the cable and winch to set up for a launch to the west. He requested a 65 mph cable speed; he cleared the pattern and midfield from both ends via radio. The takeoff was normal to 700 feet agl. The glider entered a thermal, and experienced a strong surge in rate of climb. The airspeed decreased to 50 mph, and then to 44 mph. He requested more speed, but he did not see an airspeed increase. He dove the glider to 60 mph, and requested more speed again. He noticed the airspeed getting slower despite a nose down attitude, which he assumed was from the cable weight with no cable forward pull. As the pilot made a third request for an increase in winch speed, he simultaneously pushed the nose down, and pulled the cable release. He did not hear a click, so he assumed that the cable had already back released. Looking forward, he noticed that he was getting very close to the winch and parked vehicles. His altitude was now below 400 feet agl; he elected to turn away for a downwind landing. He turned away, and was perpendicular to the winch. He saw his shadow on the ground, and was surprised and alarmed to see that the winch was still attached to the underside of glider. He pulled the release again, but the cable became taught. He felt no release, and the cable was pulling the glider quickly toward the ground. The control responses decreased. He unsuccessfully attempted to dive, and build enough airspeed to break the cable's weak link. The nose responded momentarily when he pulled back on the control stick. He thought that he detected a very brief forward motion rather than down motion. However, the glider hit the ground hard at a steep vertical angle. The pilot surmised that the tow hook jammed sideways. ## Aircraft - Registration: N2438W (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Schweizer SGS 2-3C - Category: Glider - Serial number: 49 - Airframe hours: 3820 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John M. Henderson, doing business as Las Vegas Glider Rides - Registered owner: John F. Good - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2007 - Departed: Jean, NV ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: serious; commercial; seat: front; flight hours: 500 total, 100 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: HND, 18 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 20070209003489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070209003489A), Feb 9, 2007: Scwzer SGS232, Jean, NV, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft damage: lower nose crushed, fuselage wrinkled aft of wings, wrinkling in tail area, tail wheel sheared off, left skid missing, wing tip damaged.… 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.