# NTSB LAX95LA184: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N7768S, Honolulu, HI, May 11, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 10, 1995, 15:30 local (May 11, 1995, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Honolulu, HI - Coordinates: 21.290649, -157.689758 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.2906&lon=-157.6898&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 6, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29092 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA184 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29092/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA184 ## Probable cause the pilot's attempted flight in close proximity to terrain under gusty wind conditions at an inadequate terrain clearance altitude. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly - altitude/clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - downdraft ## Analysis AFTER BEING TOWED TO AN ALTITUDE OF 1,000 FEET MSL, THE PILOT INITIALLY CLIMBED AN ADDITIONAL 100 FEET. ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER HE ENCOUNTERED AN AREA WHICH WAS NOT GENERATING ANY LIFT AND DECIDED TO TURN BACK TOWARD THE AIRPORT. WHILE FLYING AN UPWIND COURSE, WHICH WAS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY AND NEARLY PARALLEL TO THE NORTH SIDE OF A NEARBY RIDGE LINE, THE GLIDER ENCOUNTERED AN UNEXPECTED DOWNDRAFT. UNABLE TO MANEUVER OUT OF THE CONDITION, THE GLIDER WAS FORCED DOWN, IMPACTING STEEP, ROCKY TERRAIN. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE PREVAILING WINDS AT THE ACCIDENT SITE WERE GUSTING FROM THE SOUTHEAST. ## Factual narrative On May 10, 1995, at 1530 Hawaii standard time, a Schweizer SGS 2-33A glider, N7768S, sustained substantial damage after colliding with a ridge while maneuvering near a ridge line at Honolulu, Hawaii. The glider was owned and operated by Soar Hawaii, Ltd., and was rented by the pilot for a local personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The certificated commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. The flight originated from Dillingham Airfield at 1521 on the day of the accident. The pilot said that after being towed to an altitude of 1,000 feet msl he was able to climb an additional 100 feet. He stated that about 5 minutes later he encountered an area which was not generating any lift and decided to turn back toward the airport. While flying an upwind course, which was in close proximity and nearly parallel to the north side of a nearby ridge line, the glider encountered an unexpected downdraft. Unable to maneuver out of the condition, the glider was forced down, impacting steep, rocky terrain at approximately 700 feet msl. After impact, the glider slid down the face of the ridge until coming to rest against a tree. The pilot was able to egress the glider without assistance. He reported that the prevailing winds at the accident site were gusting from the southeast. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7768S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7768S-2018-01-24), registration cancelled 2018-01-24, S/N 138, built 1969 (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: 138 - Airframe hours: 4657 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Soar Hawaii, Ltd. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 29, 1995, 31 hours before - Departed: PHDH - Airport: PHDH, Dillingham Airfield ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 15,176 total, 2 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 13 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HHI, 25 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 19950510017479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950510017479A), May 10, 1995: Scwzer SGS233A, Mokuleia, HI, Destroyed. Unable thermals. Unexpected downdraft in pattern. Impacted steep rocky terrain near airport. ## Other investigations on N7768S (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 LAX88LA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA209), Jun 3, 1988: Schweizer SGS 2-33A (N7768S), Vacaville, CA, 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.