# NTSB LAX86LA316: Schweizer SGS-1-35, N34180, Marana, AZ, August 3, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1986, 13:30 local (20:30 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: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25228
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA316
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25228/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA316

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - level off - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper descent rate - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not followed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

A SCHWEIZER SGS 1-35, LANDED HARD AFTER A STEEP FINAL APPROACH. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT HE WAS HIGH ON FINAL APPROACH AND INITIALLY APPLIED 30 DEGREES OF FLAPS. HE WAS STILL TOO HIGH AND ELECTED TO USE 80 DEGREES (FULL) FLAPS. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD NOSE DONW ON THE AIRCRAFT BELLY FORWARD OF LANDING GEAR. THE AIRCRAFT CANOPY WAS BROKEN IMMEDIATELY BY THE IMPACT. THE AIRCRAFT THEN OVERRAN THE DIRT RUNWAY AND CAME TO REST IN VEGETATION OFF THE END. THE PILOT ALSO INDICATED THAT THIS WAS HIS FIRST FLIGHT IN THIS MODEL GLIDER AND THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N34180](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N34180), registered now, S/N 20 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS-1-35
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-35](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-35) (registry code 8050148) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 20
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Arthur Brown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: MARANA, AZ
- Airport: Taylor Field, runway 36, 3,000 × 150 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; seat: center; flight hours: 33 total, 1 in this make and model, 22 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 3 knots, gusting 5
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 99 °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 19860803040159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860803040159A), Aug 3, 1986: Scwzer SGS135, Marana, AZ, Substantial damage. Glider landed hard aftrer a high fast approach. Landed long, aircraft departed the end of the runway.

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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