# NTSB SEA08CA011: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N17888, Tehachapi, CA, October 15, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 15, 2007, 11:40 local (18:40 UTC) - Place: Tehachapi, CA - Coordinates: 35.101112, -118.423057 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1011&lon=-118.4231&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 66949 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08CA011 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66949/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA011 ## Probable cause The pilot's misjudged distance/altitude that led to an undershoot, and his failure to attain the proper touchdown point. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - distance/altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - object - fence ## Analysis This was the pilot's first solo glider flight. He made a standard entry into the traffic pattern for a landing approach. He noted some turbulence that caused a decrease in altitude. On the final leg, the pilot attempted a slight correction to align with the runway. The right wing tip collided with a wire fence and the glider came to rest facing the fence approximately 50 feet short of the runway. The instructor of the accident pilot, and several witnesses, noted that the traffic pattern was flown lower than normal. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures. ## Factual narrative On October 15, 2007, about 1140 Pacific daylight time, a Schweitzer SGS 2-33A glider, N17888, collided with a fence during landing at Mountain Valley Airport, Tehachapi, California. Skylark North was operating the glider under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot undergoing instruction was not injured. The glider sustained substantial damage. The local flight departed Mountain Valley about 1100. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. In a written report to the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilot stated that this was his first solo glider flight. The departure, climb, and release were all conducted without incident. After a short flight, he headed back towards the airport and made a standard entry into the traffic pattern. He noted some turbulence on the downwind leg, which caused a decrease in altitude, and he continued the normal approach. On the final leg, the pilot attempted a slight correction to align with the runway. He noted more turbulence at this point, which caused a large decrease in altitude and the right wing tip collided with a wire fence. The glider came to rest facing the fence approximately 50 feet from the runway. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. The instructor of the accident pilot submitted a written statement to the Safety Board. He confirmed that the three previous instructional flights covered basic maneuvers, including normal approach and landing. After the third satisfactory flight, he endorsed the student for solo flight. The instructor witnessed the solo flight and noted that the traffic pattern was flown slightly low. Several other witnesses also reported to the Safety Board that the glider was low during the traffic pattern and landing. The witnesses said the glider appeared low when compared to other airplanes flying the same pattern. They also noted that the glider had a large bank angle to the right while at a low altitude before landing. The closest official weather observation station was in Mojave, California (MHV), which was located 14 nm east of the accident site. An aviation routine weather report (METAR) for Mojave issued at 1155 stated the winds were from 180 degrees at 15 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N17888](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N17888), registered now, S/N 258, built 1972 (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: 258 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Skylark North - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: L94, Tehachapi, CA - Destination: L94, Tehachapi, CA - Airport: L94, Mountain Valley Airport, runway 27R, 4,890 × 36 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 2,500 total, 1 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 15 knots - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: MHV, 14 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 20071015826979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071015826979A), Oct 15, 2007: Scwzer SGS233A, Tehachapi, CA, Minor damage. (-23) On 10/15/2007 at 1130 N17888 a Schweizer SGS2-33 was being utilized by the airforce test pilot school for test pilot training. The airforce test pilot… 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.