# NTSB LAX87LA109: Schweizer 2-32, N17871, Vacaville, CA, February 7, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 7, 1987, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Vacaville, CA
- Coordinates: 38.409713, -122.01065 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4097&lon=-122.0106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25517
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25517/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA109

## 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 (cause)
  - wind information - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT, THE PILOT WAS FLYING SOUTH APPROXIMATELY 300-500 FT ABOVE THE RIDGE LOOKING FOR LIFT. THE PILOT COULD NOT FIND SUFFICIENT LIFT IN THE AREA EAST OF THE RIDGE SO HE FLEW TO THE WEST SIDE WHERE THE GLIDER ENCOUNTERED A STRONG DOWN DRAFT. DUE TO THE LOSS OF ALTITUDE, THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON A ROAD THAT WAS LINED WITH GRAPEVINES. THE FUSELAGE REMAINED CENTERED ON THE ROAD, HOWEVER, THE WINGS COLLIDED WITH THE LINING GRAPEVINES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N17871](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N17871-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 81, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 2-32
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 2-32](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-2-32) (registry code 8050206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 81
- Airframe hours: 2481
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Lagoon Valley Soaring
- Registered owner: George R. Mayes
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 11, 1986, 85 hours before
- Departed: CA58, VACAVILLE, CA
- Destination: CA58

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: front; flight hours: 292 total, 21 in this make and model, 229 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SUU, 6 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 19870207002199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870207002199A), Feb 7, 1987: Scwzer SGS232, Vacaville, CA, Substantial damage. Unable to find sufficient lift and encountered a downdraft while making a forced landing in a grape vineyard.

## Other investigations on N17871 (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 DEN76DQD32](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN76DQD32), Jun 28, 1975: Schweizer SGS232 (N17871), Las Cruces, NM, 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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