# NTSB LAX98LA017: Schweizer 126-D, N7583, Peoria, AZ, October 18, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 18, 1997, 12:05 local (19:05 UTC)
- Place: Peoria, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.570404, -112.250289 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5704&lon=-112.2503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 15, 1999
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29981
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29981/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA017

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance from obstacles during the landing 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 - tree(s)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot was participating in a spot landing contest at the glider strip.  The area for the landing spot competition was between the runways and was marked by two sets of traffic cones; the competing gliders had to land and stop between the cone sets.  The pilot noted that bushes/small scrub trees occupied the area prior to the cones.  As the glider passed through 10 feet agl nearing touchdown, the right wing contacted a large bush.

## Factual narrative

On October 18, 1997, at 1205 hours mountain standard time, a Schwiezer 126-D glider, N7583, collided with a bush on short final approach for landing at the Turf Soaring School dirt airstrip, Peoria, Arizona.  The glider sustained substantial damage, and the private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The aircraft was operated by Turf Soaring School and rented by the pilot for use in a spot landing competition under 14 CFR Part 91.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.

According to the pilot's statement, the area for the spot landing competition was between the runways and was marked by two sets of traffic cones; the competing gliders had to land and stop between the cone sets.  The pilot noted that bushes/small scrub trees occupied the area prior to the cones.  As the glider passed through 10 feet agl nearing touchdown, the right wing contacted a large bush.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7583](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7583), registered now, S/N 475, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schweizer 126-D
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-26D](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-26d) (registry code 8050122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 475
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Turf Soaring School
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: Turf Soaring School

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; seat: center; flight hours: 150 total, 120 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DVT, 12 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 19971018031459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971018031459A), Oct 18, 1997: Scwzer SGS126D, Peoria, AZ, Substantial damage. (.4) On October 18, 1997, at 1205 hours mountain standard time, a schwiezer 126-D glider, N7583, collided with a bush on short final approach for landing at…

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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