# NTSB LAX97LA160: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N2037T, Llano, CA, April 12, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1997, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Llano, CA
- Coordinates: 34.480857, -117.88047 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4809&lon=-117.8805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 21, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29773
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA160
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29773/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA160

## Probable cause

the student pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition, and his failure to maintain proper altitude and clearance from the boundry fence, during an approach to land on the runway.  Factors relating to the accident were: the crosswind, and overshooting the turn to final approach (failing to attain proper runway alignment).

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - fence
  - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

Before entering the traffic pattern, the student pilot checked the windsock and the tetrahedron at midfield for current wind information, and proceeded to enter a standard 45-degree approach from the northeast. The wind was at a right angle to runway 7R, approximately 340 degrees, at an estimated 10 miles per hour. A left 90-degree turn onto the base leg was initiated with a tailwind. The pilot checked to make sure he was still inside the center line of the glider runway and transitioned to the final approach sequence. During rollout onto final approach, the aircraft was blown across the southern boundary fence. As the aircraft crossed back over the fence, the left wing struck a fence post.

## Factual narrative

On April 12, 1997, at 1630 hours Pacific daylight time, a Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N2037T, drifted off runway 7 on landing and the left wing clipped the perimeter fence at the Crystalaire Airport, Llano, California.  The glider was substantially damaged, and the student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions existed for the local solo instructional flight which originated at 1515.

The student pilot reported he flew a 45-degree entry from the northeast and checked the windsock and tetrahedron at midfield.  He noted that the wind was at a right angle to runway 7R, approximately 340 degrees, at an estimated 10 miles an hour.  He stated that he initiated a left 90-degree turn onto the base leg with a tailwind.  At this point, he checked to make sure he was still inside the center line of the glider runway and transitioned to the final approach sequence.  The student pilot stated that on "rollout to final I was blown across the southern boundary fence at which time I continued the left hand turn so that the aircraft was now on a heading of [350] degrees.  As I crossed back over the fence my left wing struck a fence post.  The aircraft came to rest on the airport property facing [a] heading [of] 250 degrees."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2037T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2037T), registered now, S/N 467, built 1977 (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: 467
- Airframe hours: 2100
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Civil Air Patrol Squadron 41
- Registered owner: Civil Air Patrol Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1996, 150 hours before
- Departed: L01
- Airport: L01, Crystalaire, runway 7, 4,500 × 250 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; student; seat: front; flight hours: 51 total, 51 in this make and model, 17 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

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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