# NTSB SEA87LA117: Schweizer SGS 1-36, N3616F, Reno, NV, June 14, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 14, 1987, 15:00 local (22:00 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: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 5, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40642
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40642/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA117

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, landing - roll
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE SOARING, THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPED IN THE AREA. THE PILOT RETURNED TO THE LANDING FIELD, ENCOUNTERING TURBULENCE AND GUSTY WINDS. ON LANDING ROLL, GUSTY WINDS CAUSED THE SINGLE-WHEEL GLIDER TO DRIFT INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. SURFACE WINDS REPORTED AT RENO AIRPORT (30 MILES EAST), ABOUT 15 MINUTES AFTER THE ACCIDENT, WERE 240 DEGREES AT 20 KNOTS, GUSTING TO 25 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3616F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3616F), registered now, S/N 7, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 1-36
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-36](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-36) (registry code 8050153) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 7
- Airframe hours: 555
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bernard S. Smith
- Registered owner: Bernard S. Smith
- Last inspection: Annual, April 3, 1987, 38 hours before
- Airport: Air Sailing

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 24 total, 2 in this make and model, 14 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 13,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RNO, 30 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 19870614061099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870614061099A), Jun 14, 1987: Scwzer SGS136, Sparks, NV, Substantial damage. The glider drifted off the side of the runway and hit a parked truck. The student was flying in gusty winds.

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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