# NTSB LAX86LA187: Schweizer SGS-2-33A, N2032T, Hemet, CA, April 23, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 23, 1986, 12:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: Hemet, CA
- Location: 33.7373° N, 117.0393° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from HEMET-RYAN (HMT), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7373&lon=-117.0393&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): 25129
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA187
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25129/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA187

## 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 - downdraft (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,transmission
  - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A GLIDER STRUCK WIRES WHILE ON FINAL APCH TO A FIELD. THE PLT INDICATED THAT HE WAS TOWED TO AN ALT OF 5,000 FT MSL (APRX 3,500 FT AGL). ON RELEASE, HE ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT OF MORE THAN 500 FT PER MINUTE AND WAS ONLY ABLE TO STAY AIRBORNE 6 TO 7 MINUTES. THE PLT THEN TURNED THE GLIDER TOWARD THE ARPT. WHEN IT BECAME APPARENT HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REACH IT, HE SELECTED A FIELD FOR A FORCED LANDING AREA. ON FINAL APCH HE SAW WIRES AND ATTEMPTED TO FLY UNDER THEM THE ACFT VERTICAL STABILIZER STRUCK THE WIRES DAMAGING IT AND THE RUDDER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2032T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2032T-2009-02-17), registration cancelled 2009-02-17, S/N 462 (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)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 462
- Airframe hours: 3549
- Engines: unknown unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Venable Aircraft Corp, doing business as Hemet Valley Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 13, 1986, 95 hours before
- Departed: HMT, HEMET, CA
- Airport: HMT, Hemet-Ryan, runway 4, 2,045 × 30 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 291 total, 4 in this make and model, 154 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RIV, 25 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 19860423013439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860423013439A), Apr 23, 1986: Scwzer SGS233A, Hemet, CA, Substantial damage. Glider student misjudged approach and struck wires during off airport landing. Pilot reported unexpected downdrafts.

## Other investigations on N2032T (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 LAX91LA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA165), Apr 8, 1991: Schweizer SGS 2-33A (N2032T), Hemet, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE PIC TO SELECT A PROPER TOUCH DOWN POINT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF RECENT FAMILIARITY WITH THE GEOGRAPHIC LAYOUT OF THE LANDING AREA.

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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