# NTSB LAX83LA447: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N57835, Fremont, CA, September 17, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 17, 1983, 13:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Fremont, CA
- Coordinates: 37.500488, -121.959167 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5005&lon=-121.9592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23858
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA447
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23858/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA447

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - building(nonresidential) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wire,transmission (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE STUDENT PLT, HE HAD FOUND AN AREA OF LIFT AFTER RELEASING FROM THE TOW PLANE & HAD SOARED TO 2100 FT. HOWEVER, WHILE HE WAS RETURNING TO THE ARPT, HE REALIZED THAT HE WOULD BE TOO LOW TO REACH THE RWY. HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON A HIGHWAY, BUT THE ACFT STRUCK A BUILDING WITH THE LEFT WING, THEN THE RIGHT WING ENCOUNTERED TELEPHONE LINES. THE GLIDER CAME TO REST WITH THE RIGHT WING SUSPENDED BY THE LINES. REPORTEDLY, ALL OF THE STUDENT'S FLT TIME IN GLIDERS WAS ACCUMULATED ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. HE ALSO HAD 20 HRS FLT TIME IN SINGLE ENG ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N57835 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 2-33A
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 114
- Airframe hours: 3070
- Engines: unknown 06 unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Brett Willat
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, July 1, 1983, 93 hours before
- Airport: 807, Sky, runway 28, 1,840 × 30 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 16; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 25 total, 5 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19830917052329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830917052329A), Sep 17, 1983: Scwzer SGS233A, Fremont, CA, Substantial damage. Student glider pilot could not reach airport and crashed attempting off airport landing.

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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