# NTSB LAX89LA167: Schweizer T-26E, N1134S, Fremont, CA, April 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1989, 12:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Fremont, CA
- Location: 37.5483° N, 121.9886° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fremont, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5483&lon=-121.9886&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26385
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA167
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26385/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA167

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED IN AN EFFORT TO AVOID OBSTACLES DURING AN INADEQUATELY PLANNED APPROACH.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vso) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - planned approach - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE GLIDER WAS OBSERVED TO EXECUTE AN APPROACH THAT WAS LOW AND IN AN AREA OF POWER LINES. WHILE IN A NOSE HIGH RIGHT TURN TO AVOID THE POWER LINES IT WAS OBSERVED TO MAKE AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT AND COLLIDE WITH TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1134S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1134S), registered now, S/N 514, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schweizer T-26E
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-26E](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-26e) (registry code 8050124) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 514
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Willat, Bret
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: 8Q7, Fremont Sky Sailing Arpt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; student; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 45 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 55 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJC, 8 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 19890422009489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890422009489A), Apr 22, 1989: Scwzer SGS126E, Fremont, CA, Substantial damage. Low on landing approach, pulled up and banked to avoid powerlines. Stalled and dived into the ground.

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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