# NTSB SEA85LA059: Schweizer SGS-126E, N33883, Reno, NV, February 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 17, 1985, 14:55 local (22:55 UTC)
- Place: Reno, NV
- Location: 39.5296° N, 119.8138° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Reno, NV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5296&lon=-119.8138&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40115
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40115/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA059

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, climb
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

STUDENT GLIDER PILOT WAS RIDGE FLYING IN THERMALS THEN LIFT DROPPED OFF. THE ACFT TURNED DOWNWIND, AWAY FROM RISING TERRAIN AND THE PLT MADE AN EMERGENCY OFF ARPT LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N33883](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N33883-1988-06-01), registration cancelled 1988-06-01, S/N 623 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS-126E
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-26E](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-26e) (registry code 8050124) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 623
- Airframe hours: 1316
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald R. Hodge
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, January 24, 1985, 5 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; student; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 58 total, 34 in this make and model, 36 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 35 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19850217003289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850217003289A), Feb 17, 1985: Scwzer SGS126E, Reno, NV, Destroyed. Encountered downdraft attempting to regain altitude during thermal climb. Lost altitude,made emergency landing.

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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