# NTSB LAX84LA052: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N1239S, Fremont, CA, November 11, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 11, 1983, 12:25 local (20:25 UTC)
- Place: Fremont, CA
- Coordinates: 37.500595, -121.960365 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5006&lon=-121.9604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24081
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA052
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24081/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA052

## 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 - final approach
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach

## Analysis

AFTER RECEIVING AN AERO TOW TO 3,000 FT MSL & BEING RELEASED 5 MI FROM THE DEPARTURE ARPT, THE PLT THERMALED FOR ABOUT 5 MIN. HE THEN DESCENDED TO 2,300 FT MSL & TURNED BACK TOWARD THE ARPT. HE ENCOUNTERED 'HEAVY SINK' HAD INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO REACH THE RWY. HE ATTEMPTED TO STRETCH HIS GLIDE & THE GLIDER STALLED AT 20 FT AGL ABOUT 100 YDS FROM THE ARPT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1239S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1239S), registered now, S/N 221, built 1971 (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: 221
- Airframe hours: 6090
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bret G. Willat
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 29, 1983, 45 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 14 total, 8 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °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 19831111057009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831111057009A), Nov 11, 1983: Scwzer SGS233A, Fremont, CA, Substantial damage. Student glider pilot could not reach airport and glider collided with fence post 100 yds short of runway.

## Other investigations on N1239S (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 OAK77FVD10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK77FVD10), Jan 21, 1977: Schweizer 2-33 (N1239S), Fremont, 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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