# NTSB LAX08LA254: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N33923, Jean, NV, August 2, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 2, 2008, 14:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: Jean, NV
- Coordinates: 35.766666, -115.329719 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7667&lon=-115.3297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining events: [Maneuvering: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250); [Maneuvering: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 12, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68594
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08LA254
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68594/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA254

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

The failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other aircraft while maneuvering over the airport.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 196 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 196 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

The glider and a tow plane collided in flight while maneuvering over the airport. Both pilots reported that the glider had performed a normal tow breakaway at 3,000 feet mean sea level and turned right 60-70 degrees. After the glider released the tow line, the tow plane turned left 90 degrees, held that course for about 30 seconds, then turned right 90 degrees, coming to a course that approximately paralleled the original course. The tow plane pilot turned the airplane back to the southwest and continued the descent to the airport. Neither pilot kept the other airplane in visual contact as they maneuvered over the airport. The tow plane pilot said that he did not see the glider beneath the nose and instrument panel of his airplane. The right landing gear of the tow plane contacted the tail of the glider at a slight left to right crossing angle. The collision occurred while both airplanes were on a southwesterly course. The glider pilot said the rudder pedals had become ineffective, but he was able to maintain directional control by using angle of bank. Both airplanes landed safely at the airport.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 2)

On August 2, 2008, at 1420 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235 (tow plane), N7211Z, collided in-flight with the vertical tail of a Schweizer SGS 2-33A glider, N33923, after conducting glider tow operations over Jean Airport, Jean, Nevada. Las Vegas Valley Soaring operated both airplanes under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. There were no injuries to the certified flight instructor (CFI) and student in the Schweizer, or the airline transport pilot in the Piper. The glider was substantially damaged; the Piper was not damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and flight plans had not been filed. The flight originated from Jean Airport at 1413. Both pilots reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that the glider had performed a normal tow breakaway at 3,000 feet mean sea level (msl) and turned right 60-70 degrees. The glider instructor proceeded to demonstrate controllability to the student by using pitch to control airspeed. After the glider released the tow line, the tow plane turned left 90 degrees, held that course for about 30 seconds, then turned right 90 degrees, approximately paralleling the original course. The tow plane pilot reported that he had been in an area of high lift, and had climbed to about 6,000 feet msl before he was able to descend the airplane. He turned the airplane back to the southwest and continued the descent to the airport. Neither pilot kept the other airplane in visual contact as they maneuvered over the airport. The tow plane pilot said that he did not see the glider beneath the nose and instrument panel of his airplane. His right landing gear contacted the tail of the glider at a slight left to right crossing angle. The collision occurred while both airplanes were on a southwesterly course. The glider pilot was able to maintain directional control by using angle of bank; the rudder pedals were ineffective. Both airplanes landed safely at the Jean Airport.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N33923](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N33923), registered now, S/N 413, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 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: 413
- Airframe hours: 4936
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Las Vegas Valley Soaring Assoc
- Registered owner: Las Vegas Valley Soaring Assoc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2008
- Departed: KOL7, Jean, NV
- Destination: KOL7, Jean, NV
- Airport: K0L7, Jean

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N7211Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7211Z), registered now, S/N 25-3122, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-3122
- Airframe hours: 11950
- Engines: Lycoming O-540-B2C5-A1 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Glider tow, Part 91
- Operator: Las Vegas Valley Soaring Association
- Registered owner: Las Vegas Valley Soaring Association
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 29, 2008
- Departed: KOL7, Jean, NV
- Destination: KOL7, Jean, NV
- Airport: K0L7, Jean

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor, aircraft N33923; age 56; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review January 28, 2007; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,272 total, 489 in this make and model, 1,175 as pilot in command
- Pilot, aircraft N7211Z; age 74; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 27, 2007; seat: single; flight hours: 6,305 total, 238 in this make and model, 5,613 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 108 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observed at: KHND, 16 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20080802843481A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080802843481A), Aug 2, 2008: Scwzer SGS233A, Jean, NV, Substantial damage. (-23) N33923 (sgs 2-33A glider) was involved in a midair collision with the PA-25-125 tow plane at appx. 3000' AGL at 1415 PDT after departing 0L7. After…
- [Accident 20080802844062A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080802844062A), Aug 2, 2008: Piper PA25235, Jean, NV, Minor damage. (-23) N7211Z (PA-25-235 tow plane) was involved in a midair collision with a SGS2-23A glider at approx 3000' AGL at 1415 PDT after departing 0L7. After normal…

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.