# NTSB LAX83LA209: Schweizer SGS 1-26B, N2478W, Chula Vista, CA, May 1, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 30, 1983, 17:15 local (May 1, 1983, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Chula Vista, CA
- Coordinates: 33.099796, -117.290046 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0998&lon=-117.2900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23693
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA209
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23693/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA209

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS SOARING ALONG THE WEST SLOPE OF A SMALL MOUNTAIN WHEN HE INADVERTENTLY ENTERED AN AREA WHERE THE WIND WAS OBSTRUCTED BY TERRAIN FEATURES. HIS AIRSPEED DETERIORATED & HE TRIED TO TURN TOWARD AN AREA WHERE HE COULD OBTAIN LIFT. HOWEVER, THE LEFT WING TIP STRUCK THE GROUND & THE GLIDER CARTWHEELED. THE RATED, SINGLE-ENGINE, MULTIENGINE PILOT WAS ON HIS 5TH SOLO INSTRUCTIONAL FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2478W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2478W-1997-10-02), registration cancelled 1997-10-02, S/N 375 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 1-26B
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-26B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-26b) (registry code 8050118) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 375
- Airframe hours: 1750
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: German American Society, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 19, 1982, 25 hours before
- Departed: CHULA VISTA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 3,793 total, 6 in this make and model, 3,542 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## Other investigations on N2478W (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 SEA95LA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA217), Sep 14, 1995: Schweizer SGS 1-26B (N2478W), Morgan, UT, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: Failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering to land after a low altitude tow release, which resulted in a stall/spin and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB LAX70DUJ25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX70DUJ25), Mar 28, 1970: Schweizer 1-26B (N2478W), Chandler, 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.

---
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.