# NTSB LAX84LA092: Schweizer I-26D, N7740S, Black Canyon, AZ, December 3, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 3, 1983, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Black Canyon, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.130275, -112.130096 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1303&lon=-112.1301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24112
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24112/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA092

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (cause)
  - communications - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - crew/group briefing - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE GLIDER COLLIDED WITH A TREE DURING A FORCED LANDING. THE GLIDER WAS BEING TOWED ON A FERRY X-COUNTRY WHEN THEY OVERFLEW AN UNDERCAST. THE TOW PLANE STARTED DESCENT TO PENETRATE THE CLOUDS EXPECTING THE GLIDER TO MAINTAIN TOW AND CONTACT ON THE 200 FT LINE. THE GLIDER PLT RELEASED AND SPUN DOWN THROUGH THE OVERCAST. HE DID THIS HE SAID TO PREVENT DISORIENTATION. HE BROKE OUT AT ABOUT 800 FT AGL AND WHILE LANDING IN A PASTURE COLLIDED WITH A TREE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7740S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7740S), registered now, S/N 440 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER I-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: 440
- Airframe hours: 319
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Baboquivari Soaring School Inc
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1983, 62 hours before
- Departed: AGUILA, AZ
- Destination: AZ05, PLEASANT VALLEY, AZ
- Airport: runway 61, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 745 total, 13 in this make and model, 693 as pilot in command, 146 in the last 90 days, 44 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °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 19831203059599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831203059599A), Dec 3, 1983: Scwzer SGS126D, Black Canyon, AZ, Substantial damage. Tow pilot entered IMC and glider pilot released from tow. Glider crashed during emergency landing in rough terrain.

## Other investigations on N7740S (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 LAX82DA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA090), Mar 1, 1982: Schweizer SGS1-260 (N7740S), Phoenix, AZ, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX75FUJ03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX75FUJ03), Jul 1, 1974: Schweizer SGS126 (N7740S), Phoenix, 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.

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