# NTSB LAX84LA492: Schweizer SGS 1-36, N3617U, Marana, AZ, September 22, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 22, 1984, 15:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Marana, AZ
- Location: 32.4367° N, 111.2254° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Marana, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4367&lon=-111.2254&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): 24408
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA492
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24408/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA492

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, descent
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT DELAYED HIS DESCENT/APPROACH TO HIS DESTINATION DUE TO WX. HE WAS UNABLE TO REACH HIS DESTINATION BECAUSE OF DOWNDRAFTS ENCOUNTERED IN THE DESCENT. DURING THE APPROACH (OFF AIRPORT) THE RIGHT WING TIP CONTACTED THE GROUND RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3617U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3617U-2021-09-04), registration cancelled 2021-09-04, S/N 18, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 1-36
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-36](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-36) (registry code 8050153) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 18
- Airframe hours: 342
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tucson Soaring Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 1984
- Departed: MARANA, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; medical: unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 153 total, 42 in this make and model, 140 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUC, 28 nm away

## 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 19840922050679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840922050679A), Sep 22, 1984: Scwzer SGS136, Marana, AZ, Substantial damage. Developed high sink rate. Had to land in rough desert short of the glider port. Low brush cause a ground loop.

## Other investigations on N3617U (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 WPR12CA278](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA278), Jun 27, 2012: Schweizer SGS 1-36 (N3617U), Bishop, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The glider’s encounter with insufficient atmospheric lift to maintain soaring flight, which resulted in an 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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