# NTSB LAX88LA209: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N7768S, Vacaville, CA, June 3, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 3, 1988, 16:38 local (23:38 UTC)
- Place: Vacaville, CA
- Coordinates: 38.41014, -122.01081 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4101&lon=-122.0108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26021
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA209
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26021/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA209

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - habit interference, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AT THE END OF A PLEASURE FLT, THE PLT EXTENDED THE DOWNWIND LEG FOR LANDING, THINKING THAT THE TOUCHDOWN ALTITUDE WAS 12 FT INSTEAD OF, IN ACTUALITY, 220 FT.  THE PLT NORMALLY FLEW OUT OF ANOTHER AIRPORT WITH AN ALT OF 12 FT. FROM THE EXTENDED DOWNWIND, THE GLIDER DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT ALT TO LAND ON THE RWY.  THE GLIDER TOUCHED DOWN SHORT AND DURING THE LANDING ROLL COLLIDED WITH A FENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7768S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7768S-2018-01-24), registration cancelled 2018-01-24, S/N 138, built 1969 (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)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 138
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lagoon Valley Soaring
- Registered owner: Mayes, Brooks R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 15, 1988
- Airport: CA58, Vacaville, runway 18, 2,100 × 75 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 109 total, 39 in this make and model, 68 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Observed at: SUU

## 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 19880603018109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880603018109A), Jun 3, 1988: Scwzer SGS233A, Vacaville, CA, Substantial damage. Misjudged glider height AGL and glider performance. Landed short of runway and struck a fence.

## Other investigations on N7768S (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 LAX95LA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA184), May 11, 1995: Schweizer SGS 2-33A (N7768S), Honolulu, HI, destroyed. Probable cause: the pilot's attempted flight in close proximity to terrain under gusty wind conditions at an inadequate terrain clearance altitude.

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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