# NTSB LAX91LA155: Schweizer SGS1-26-D, N7562, Warner Springs, CA, April 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 2, 1991, 00:01 local (07:01 UTC)
- Place: Warner Springs, CA
- Coordinates: 33.279266, -116.600151 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2793&lon=-116.6002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27157
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA155
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27157/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA155

## Probable cause

THAT THE PILOT USED POOR PLANNING/DECISION AND FAILED TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED.  CONTRIBUTING TO HIS ACCIDENT WAS THE LOSS OF THERMAL LIFT AND LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE OF AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - no thermal lift (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THIS CERTIFICATED COMMERCIAL FIXED WING PILOT WAS PRACTICING FOR AN UPCOMING GLIDER FLIGHT TEST.  HE WAS AERO TOWED FROM THE GLIDERPORT AT ABOUT 1340 HOURS.  WHEN THE GLIDER DID NOT RETURN BY 1700 HOURS THE OPERATOR DISPATCHED 3 TOW AIRPLANE'S TO SEARCH FOR THE GLIDER.  THE GLIDER WAS LOCATED AT ABOUT 1750 HOURS.  THE PILOT TOLD THE OPERATOR THAT THE GLIDER STARTED LOSING ALTITUDE WHEN RETURNING TO THE GLINDERPORT. HE ELECTED TO FLY ALONG THE RIDGE IN HOPES OF ATTAINING ADDITIONAL THERMALS BUT HE ALLOWED THE AIRSPEED TO DIMINISH.  WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE GLIDER STALLED AND SPUN IN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7562](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7562-2013-05-08), registration cancelled 2013-05-08, S/N 463, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS1-26-D
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-26D](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-26d) (registry code 8050122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 463
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Willat, Bert
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Airport: Warner Springs

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 3,800 total, 6 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910402008229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910402008229A), Apr 2, 1991: Scwzer SGS126D, Warner Springs, CA, Destroyed. Lost lift soaring near ridge line. Became too slow in a turn. Stalled and spun in.

## Other investigations on N7562 (2)

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 LAX84LA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA276), Apr 30, 1984: Schweizer SGS 1-26D (N7562), Vacaville, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA76DYG55](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA76DYG55), Jun 5, 1976: Schweizer SGS126 (N7562), Waterville, WA, 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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