# NTSB LAX86FUG05: Schweizer SGS-1-35C, N2673H, Palm Springs, CA, September 27, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: September 27, 1986, 15:40 local (22:40 UTC)
- Place: Palm Springs, CA
- Coordinates: 33.850418, -116.560089 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8504&lon=-116.5601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24947
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FUG05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24947/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FUG05

## 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 - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE ACFT WAS NOT GETTING THE LIFT REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN ALT. THE PLT DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE ARPT, HOWEVER, ENROUTE THE PLT REALIZED THAT HE WOULD NOT MAKE IT BACK TO THE RWY. THE PLT DECIDED TO LAND IN AN EAST WEST DIRECTION ON A SANDY AREA AND DID NOT REALIZE UNTIL ON FINAL APPROACH THAT HE HAD A CONSIDERABLE CROSSWIND. ON SHORT FINAL THE NOSE OF THE ACFT RAISED, THE LEFT WING DROPPED AND THE ACFT ENTERED A SPIN. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2673H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2673H-2012-09-19), registration cancelled 2012-09-19, S/N 73, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS-1-35C
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-35C](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-35c) (registry code 8050151) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 73
- Airframe hours: 344
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Manfred Rudolph Leniz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 27, 1986
- Departed: HMT, HEMET, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; seat: center; flight hours: 121 total, 9 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 35 knots, gusting 50
- Visibility: 15 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 19860927046969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860927046969A), Sep 27, 1986: Scwzer SGS135C, Palm Springs, CA, Substantial damage. Glider pilot failed to stay close enough to a recovery field. During emergency pattern,aircraft spun to the ground.

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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