# NTSB LAX88LA247: Schweizer SGS-1-26A, N2726Z, Montague, CA, July 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1988, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Montague, CA
- Coordinates: 41.760749, -122.390014 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7607&lon=-122.3900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26052
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA247
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26052/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA247

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - wing,spar - overload (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING A PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE LAST TRANSMISSION BY THE PILOT STATED HE WAS GOING TO SEE WHAT THE GLIDER COULD DO BESIDES STRAIGHT AND LEVEL FLIGHT. WITNESSES IN THE AREA REPORTED THAT THEY HEARD A LOUD POP AND OBSERVED THE GLIDER, MINUS THE LEFT WING, IN A VERTICAL DESCENT AND COLLIDE WITH THE TERRAIN. THE WING SPAR BROKE TWO FEET FROM THE ROOT. A METALLURGICAL TEST PERFORMED ON THE SPAR REPORTED THAT THE SPAR BROKE IN A POSITIVE (UP) OVERLOAD. POST ACC INVEST REVEALED THE ACFT WAS PLACARDED FOR PLT WT NOT TO EXCEED 166 LBS. THE REC PLT WEIGHED 210 LBS. A SCHWEIZER SERVICE BULLETIN RESTRICTS THIS SAILPLANE FROM AEROBATICS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2726Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2726Z-1989-09-27), registration cancelled 1989-09-27, S/N 245 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS-1-26A
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-26A](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-26a) (registry code 8050116) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 245
- Airframe hours: 360
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Montague Aviation
- Registered owner: Weathers, Terry M.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 16, 1988, 25 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial, flight instructor; medical: unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 775 total, 103 in this make and model, 734 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19880701024719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880701024719A), Jul 1, 1988: Scwzer SGS126A, Montague, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Glider broke up in flight due to exceeding design loads. Pilot weight over maximum. Believed performing acrobatics.

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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