# NTSB LAX95LA164: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N7758S, Peoria, AZ, April 7, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 7, 1995, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Peoria, AZ - Coordinates: 33.649597, -112.240058 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6496&lon=-112.2401&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 31, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29076 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA164 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29076/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA164 ## Probable cause the pilot's misjudged evaluation of the weather, and his inadequate compensation for the gusting winds and downdrafts. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final - weather condition - downdraft - weather condition - gusts - weather condition - tailwind - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THIS WAS THE THIRD FLIGHT OF THE DAY IN THE SAME MODEL OF GLIDER FROM PLEASANT VALLEY. HE SAID HE WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE AREA AND WAS OBSERVANT OF THE LOCAL WEATHER CONDITIONS. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, AFTER BEING TOWED TO 3,000 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL AND THEREAFTER FLYING BETWEEN 15 AND 20 MINUTES, HE ENTERED THE NORMAL LANDING TRAFFIC PATTERN. IMMEDIATELY AFTER TURNING ONTO THE BASE LEG, HE BECAME AWARE THAT THE GLIDER WAS 'LOSING A GREAT DEAL OF ALTITUDE.' THE PILOT FURTHER REPORTED THAT HE 'IMMEDIATELY TURNED AGAIN TO ANGLE SHARPLY TOWARD THE RUNWAY, RATHER THAN FLYING SQUARE BASE AND FINAL LEGS.' WITH INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO RETURN TO THE AIRSTRIP, AND WITH THE GLIDER DESCENDING RAPIDLY, THE PILOT MADE AN OFF-FIELD LANDING ABOUT 1/4 MILE EAST OF RUNWAY 21. THE LOCAL WIND WAS FROM 210 DEGREES, AT 10 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 16 KNOTS. ## Factual narrative On April 7, 1995, at 1600 mountain standard time, a Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N7758S, landed in rough terrain approximately 1/4 mile east of runway 23L at the Pleasant Valley (private) Airstrip, Peoria, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the personal flight. The glider received minor damage, and the commercial pilot was seriously injured. The flight originated from Peoria, Arizona, at 1540. In the pilot's completed "Aircraft Accident Report," National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Form 6120.1/2, he reported that, earlier in the day, he had twice flown the same model of glider from Pleasant Valley, he was familiar with the area, and was observant of the local weather conditions. The accident occurred during the pilot's third flight. According to the pilot, after being towed to 3,000 feet above ground level and thereafter flying between 15 and 20 minutes, he entered the normal landing traffic pattern. Immediately after turning onto the base leg, the pilot indicated that he became aware the glider was "losing a great deal of altitude." The pilot further reported that he "immediately turned again to angle sharply toward the runway, rather than flying square base and final legs." With insufficient altitude to return to the airstrip, the pilot prepared for an off-field landing in the desert terrain. The pilot additionally indicated that he was not certain "whether strong downdrafts" or his effort at "attempting to 'stretch' the glide" were factors in the gliders rapid descent during the final 20 to 40 feet. However, he was certain that the touchdown occurred while in a slight nose-down attitude and "with a substantial blow." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7758S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7758S), registered now, S/N 130, built 1968 (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: 130 - Airframe hours: 6033 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Turf Soaring School - Registered owner: Babogivari Soaring School, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 19, 1995 - Airport: AZ05, Pleasant Valley Airport, runway 23, 4,000 × 50 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 295 total, 226 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 10 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °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 19950407011099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950407011099A), Apr 7, 1995: Scwzer SGS233A, Peoria, AZ, Minor damage. Too low to make airport. Stall mushed trying to stretch glide. Beleived downdraft encountered. ## Other investigations on N7758S (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 SEA74FTI07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA74FTI07), Jul 26, 1973: Schweizer 2-33 (N7758S), Belgrade, MT, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.