# NTSB LAX96LA218: Schweizer 1-24, N91888, Tehachapi, CA, May 25, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 25, 1996, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Tehachapi, CA - Coordinates: 35.120925, -118.510955 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1209&lon=-118.5110&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 20, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29460 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA218 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29460/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA218 ## Probable cause the glider pilot's decision to land on the grass covered infield instead of the alternate runway, and the pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper use of the spoilers and brakes. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - aircraft parked/standing - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - spoiler extension - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The glider pilot was inbound to land on the glider runway. Two gliders were in position for launch from the mid-runway launch point. The pilot decided to land in a grass covered area between the glider runway and the powered aircraft runway. Witnesses stated that the glider was fast on final approach with no sign of spoiler use. The glider touched down and drifted into the two gliders in position. An instructor pilot stated that the glider was traveling about 50 knots when it hit the first glider. Spoiler use was observed by witnesses when a collision was imminent. The wheel brake is activated with full spoiler deployment. Normal flight procedures for landing are to land on the glider runway with gliders in launch position at the mid-runway position. If the pilot feels uncomfortable about the approach, he is to land on the power aircraft runway. ## Factual narrative On May 25, 1996, about 1500 hours Pacific daylight time, a Schweizer 1-24 sailplane, N91888, was substantially damaged during landing at the Mountain Valley Airport, Tehachapi, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. The pilot was not injured. The flight originated from the Mountain Valley airport as a local area soaring flight. On landing, the sailplane collided with two parked sailplanes. In the pilot's written report to the Safety Board he stated that he was making a normal landing approach to runway 27R, at 60 mph. On final approach two gliders were in launch position on runway 27R, so the pilot elected to land on the grass strip between the runways 27L and 27R. The pilot stated that he came over the end of the runway at 50 feet. He touched down in the grass with full dive brake/spoiler and wheel brake, but continued to roll while veering to the right. He stated that his speed did not bleed off as normal. Witnesses stated that the glider appeared to be fast on final approach. They also reported that they did not see spoilers used until a point that the collision was imminent. The wheel brake is activated from the aft travel of the spoiler control. An instructor witness awaiting launch sequence with a student stated that the accident glider landed mid-runway in the dry grass and was traveling about 50 knots when it hit the first (the instructors) parked glider. This glider was number 2 for launch from the center of runway 27R. The normal procedure used for the glider runway (27R) is to position one or two gliders mid-runway for launch. Inbound gliders land behind the launch position gliders. If the pilot is uncomfortable during the approach with landing behind the positioned gliders, the procedure is to land on the powered aircraft runway (27L). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N91888](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N91888-2013-03-18), registration cancelled 2013-03-18, S/N 1, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schweizer 1-24 - Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-24) (registry code 8050113) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 001 - Airframe hours: 777 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Howard E. Burr - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 30, 1996, 1 hours before - Departed: L94, CA - Airport: L94, Mountain Valley Airport, runway 27R, 5,190 × 60 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 82; commercial; medical: unknown; flight hours: 1,080 total, 777 in this make and model, 1,080 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 15 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °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 19960525016569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960525016569A), May 25, 1996: Scwzer SGS134, Tehachapi, CA, Substantial damage. Landed on grass due traffic on runway. Landed fast spoilers brakes used too late struck two parked gliders. 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.