# NTSB LAX82DUJ35: Schweizer SGS 1-126E, N65937, Near Tucson, AZ, April 17, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1982, 14:25 local (21:25 UTC)
- Place: Near Tucson, AZ
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71945
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DUJ35
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71945/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DUJ35

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - weather condition - turbulence,clear air (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON A TRIANGULAR ROUND-ROBIN COURSE. ON THE THIRD LEG OF THE FLIGHT, HE ENCOUNTER UNFAVORABLE LIFT CONDITIONS AND ELECTED TO LAND ON A DIRT ROAD. HE STARTED A 270 DEG TURN TO FINAL APPROACH. REPORTEDLY, A STRONG, TURBULENT, WIND SHEAR CONDITION WAS ENCOUNTERED DURING THE TURN AND THE GLIDER ENTERED A SPIN. THE PILOT RECOVERED FROM THE SPIN, BUT WAS STILL RECOVERING FROM A DIVE WHEN THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE IMPACT ANGLE WAS ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT 30 DEG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N65937](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65937-1983-11-17), registration cancelled 1983-11-17, S/N 577 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 1-126E
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-26E](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-26e) (registry code 8050124) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 577
- Airframe hours: 1704
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tucson Soaring Club
- Departed: RYAN AIRFIELD T, AZ
- Destination: RYAN AIRFIELD T, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 866 total, 18 in this make and model, 406 as pilot in command, 76 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 35 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles

## 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 19820417010069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820417010069A), Apr 17, 1982: Scwzer SGS126E, Tucson, AZ, Destroyed. Lost lift then stalled and went into a spin trying to land in desert. Partial recovery prior impact. Gusty wind.

## Other investigations on N65937 (2)

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 LAX79DUJ95](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79DUJ95), Jul 11, 1979: Schweizer 1-26E (N65937), Tucson, AZ, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX78DA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX78DA076), Aug 16, 1978: Schweizer SG126 (N65937), Tucson, 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.

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