# NTSB LAX07CA172: Schweizer SGS2-33A, N65844, Los Alamitos, CA, May 22, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 22, 2007, 15:55 local (22:55 UTC) - Place: Los Alamitos, CA - Coordinates: 33.794445, -118.052497 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7944&lon=-118.0525&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 30, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 65900 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA172 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65900/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=65900 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA172 ## Probable cause failure of the towrope during the initial climb out. ## 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 - separation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - object - vehicle ## Analysis After a normal winch launch, the towrope broke about 300 feet above ground. The pilot made a shallow approach due to the low altitude, and was forced to land the glider at an angle to the runway. The glider skidded off the runway where it struck a parked truck that was about 75 feet from the runway edge. ## Factual narrative On May 22, 2007, at 1555 Pacific daylight time, a Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N65844, veered off the runway following a forced landing and struck a truck at the Los Alamitos (SLI) airport, Los Alamitos, California. The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) operated the glider under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The glider sustained substantial damage to the nose area. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was originating at the time. According to the pilot, at 300 feet above the ground, the towrope broke. He made turns to land on the dirt runway, but was not able to align the glider with the runway. According to the CAP representative, a normal winch launch had been initiated. The tow rope broke at a low altitude, and the pilot made a short approach and landing. The glider landed at an angle and skidded off the runway where it struck a truck parked about 75 feet off the runway edge. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N65844](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65844-2013-10-24), registration cancelled 2013-10-24, S/N 335, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schweizer SGS2-33A - 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: 335 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Civil Air Patrol - California Wing, doing business as Los Alamitos Glider Training Squadron 41 - Registered owner: Civil Air Patrol - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: SLI, Los Alamitos, CA - Destination: SLI, Los Alamitos, CA - Flight plan: Military VFR - Airport: SLI, Los Alamitos Army Airfield ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: front; flight hours: 806 total, 70 in this make and model, 715 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: SLI, 1 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 20070522009219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070522009219A), May 22, 2007: Scwzer SGS233A, Los Alamitos, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) On 05/22/2007, during takeoff sequence of a winch launch at Los Alamitos army airfield taxiway c, safety rope broke at approximately 300-400 ft.… ## Other investigations on N65844 (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 LAX97LA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA024), Oct 20, 1996: Schweizer 2-33-A (N65844), Los Alamitos, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's failure to properly handle the glider, and the instructor pilot's inadequate supervision. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 30, 2007, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=65900. 4.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 8 photos, 4.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40280267&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.