# NTSB LAX84LA061: Schweizer SGS 1-26D, N7796S, Lucerne Valley, CA, November 13, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 13, 1983, 12:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Lucerne Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 39.159519, -122.74987 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1595&lon=-122.7499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24086
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24086/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA061

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT WAS ON HIS 1ST SOLO LAUNCH USING AN AUTO TOW & A NOSE HOOK. DURING THE LAUNCH, THE GLIDER BECAME AIRBORNE AT ABOUT 42 MPH. THEREAFTER, THE STUDENT CLIMBED SUCCESSFULLY TO AN ESTIMATED ALT OF APRX 200 FT. AT ABOUT THAT TIME, THE STUDENT'S INSTRUCTOR PLT (IP), WHO WAS DRIVING THE LAUNCH VEHICLE, OBSERVED SAND SAILERS AT HIS 10 TO 11 O'CLOCK POSITION. TO AVOID A CONFRONTATION & TO PROTECT THE SAND SAILERS FROM THE TOW LINE BEING DROPPED IN THEIR VICINITY, THE IP ALTERED HIS COURSE ABOUT 30 DEG TO THE RIGHT. THE TOW LINE BECAME SLACK & THE STUDENT THOUGHT THE LAUNCH VEHICLE WAS SLOWING (BUT IT WAS REPORTED ACCELERATING). THE STUDENT RELEASED THE TOW CABLE, THEN TURNED TO LAND ON THE DRY LAKE BED/STRIP. HOWEVER, THE GLIDER STALLED. THE STUDENT SAID THAT HE MADE AN INCOMPLETE RECOVERY PRIOR TO A VERY HARD LANDING & GROUND LOOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7796S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7796S-2019-02-05), registration cancelled 2019-02-05, S/N 456, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 1-26D
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-26D](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-26d) (registry code 8050122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 456
- Airframe hours: 590
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: S. Calif. Soaring Association
- Registered owner: John P. Dezzutti
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: Rabbit Dry Lake

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 34 total, 34 in this make and model, 11 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19831113057189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831113057189A), Nov 13, 1983: Scwzer SGS126D, Lucerne, CA, Substantial damage. Auto tow changed direction caused glider to release at a low altitude. Pilot stall landed turning downwind.

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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