# NTSB LAX82FVG33: Schweizer 232, N2450W, Calistoga, CA, September 10, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 10, 1982, 14:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Calistoga, CA
- Location: 38.5814° N, 122.5827° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Calistoga, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5814&lon=-122.5827&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 10, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70101
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FVG33
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70101/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FVG33

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED APPROXIMATELY 3 MI SW OF THE CALISTOGA ARPT WHILE RETURNING FROM A LOCAL FLT. THE PLT STATED TO A CALIF HWY PATROL OFFICER AT THE SCENE THAT HE LOST RUDDER CONTROL & HAD GONE INTO A SPIN AS A RESULT IN AIR CHANGE. THE RUDDER CABLES WERE FOUND INTACT & MOVED THE RUDDER TO THE BREAK POINT OF THE FUSELAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2450W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2450W-1984-07-11), registration cancelled 1984-07-11, S/N 50 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 232
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 2-32](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-2-32) (registry code 8050206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 50
- Airframe hours: 1158
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Calistoga Soaring
- Registered owner: Calistoga Soaring
- Departed: CALISTOGA, CA
- Destination: CALISTOGA, CA
- Airport: Calistoga

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,740 total, 217 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 185 °F

## 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 19820910045079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820910045079A), Sep 10, 1982: Scwzer SGS232, Calistoga, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Glider crashed for unknown reasons. Pilot had no recall of accident.

## Other investigations on N2450W (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 LAX81DVG45](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81DVG45), Jun 21, 1981: Schweizer 2-32 (N2450W), Calistoga, CA, 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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