# NTSB WPR09CA272: Schweizer SGS 2-32, N5826V, Warner Springs, CA, May 30, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 30, 2009, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Warner Springs, CA - Coordinates: 33.307777, -116.583885 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3078&lon=-116.5839&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 13, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73938 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA272 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73938/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73938 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA272 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree while maneuvering in flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-32, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=8050206), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-32, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md?model=8050206), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-32, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=8050206), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-32, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=8050206), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis After being towed to altitude, the pilot of the glider began soaring above a mountain peak. After making several circular passes over the peak the glider began to descend, and the pilot initiated a turn to an adjacent ridge. As he passed over the ridge, he felt the glider sink and he initiated a descending right turn. During the turn, the pilot felt the glider "jolt" and yaw to the left. He verified that the flight controls functioned correctly, and initiated an uneventful straight-in approach and landing at the departure airport. Postaccident inspection revealed damage consistent with an in-flight collision with a tree. The glider sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar and aileron during the collision. ## Factual narrative After being towed to altitude, the pilot of the glider began soaring above a mountain peak. After making several circular passes over the peak the glider began to descend, and the pilot initiated a turn to an adjacent ridge. As he passed over the ridge, he felt the glider sink and he initiated a descending right turn. During the turn, the pilot felt the glider "jolt" and yaw to the left. He verified that the flight controls functioned correctly, and initiated an uneventful straight-in approach and landing at the departure airport. Postaccident inspection revealed damage consistent with an in-flight collision with a tree. The glider sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar and aileron during the collision. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5826V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5826V), registered now, S/N 3, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 2-32 - Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 2-32](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-2-32) (registry code 8050206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 3 - Airframe hours: 9344 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Sky Sailing Inc - Registered owner: Sky Sailing Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 3, 2009 - Departed: CL35, Warner Springs, CA - Destination: CL35, Warner Springs, CA - Airport: CL35, Warner Springs, runway 26, 4,700 × 70 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 22, 2009; seat: front; flight hours: 552 total, 184 in this make and model, 469 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 9 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 800 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: RNM, 26 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 20090530007149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090530007149A), May 30, 2009: Scwzer SGS232, Warner Springs, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) PIC was conducting a glider sightseeing flight with two passengers in a Schweizer sailplane. While "ridge soaring", left wing struck tree line on ridge.… ## Other investigations on N5826V (3) 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. - [NTSB DEN81FTE07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN81FTE07), Nov 30, 1980: Schweizer SG5-2 (N5826V), Boulder, CO, substantial damage - [NTSB DEN75DQA13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN75DQA13), Sep 1, 1974: Schweizer SGS232 (N5826V), Albuquerque, NM, substantial damage - [NTSB LAX69D0257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX69D0257), Feb 13, 1969: Schweizer 2-32 (N5826V), Adelanto, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 17, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73938. 610 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 474 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314718&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation: Bret Willat (item 2, .PDF, 25 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314806&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%3A%20Bret%20Willat-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1: Wing Damage (item 3, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314804&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Wing%20Damage-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Wing Damage (item 4, .PDF, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314805&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Wing%20Damage-Master.PDF 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.