# NTSB LAX92LA021: Schweizer SGS-2-33A, N17886, Fremont, CA, October 20, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 20, 1991, 10:35 local (17:35 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: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27483
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27483/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA021

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE ALTITUDE ON FINAL APPROACH.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - building(nonresidential)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - attempted, pilot in command

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE 206-HOUR GLIDER PILOT, HE RELEASED FROM THE TOW AIRPLANE AT 3,500 FEET MSL AND STAYED NEAR THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT.  AFTER DESCENDING TO 1,000 FEET THE PILOT ENTERED THE LANDING TRAFFIC PATTERN.  THE TURN ONTO THE BASE AND FINAL APPROACH LEGS APPEARED NORMAL.  ON SHORT FINAL APPROACH THE GLIDER'S RATE OF DESCENT RAPIDLY INCREASED, AND THE GLIDER COLLIDED WITH THE ROOF OF A BUILDING.  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE SURFACE WIND WAS BETWEEN 9 AND 10 MPH, AND THE WIND WAS NOT GUSTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N17886](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N17886-2012-07-30), registration cancelled 2012-07-30, S/N 256, built 1972 (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: 256
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Fremont Sky Sailing
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Airport: 8Q7, Sky Sailing, runway 28, 1,840 × 30 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; flight hours: 206 total, 184 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 22° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19911020047009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911020047009A), Oct 20, 1991: Scwzer SGS233A, Fremont, CA, Destroyed. Encountered downdraft on final. Struck building roof and crashed inverted in parking lot.

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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