# NTSB WPR09CA344: Schweizer SGS 1-26A, N2701Z, Lake Riverside, CA, July 14, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 14, 2009, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Lake Riverside, CA - Coordinates: 33.48389, -116.687225 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4839&lon=-116.6872&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 19, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74288 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA344 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74288/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74288 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA344 ## Probable cause A loss of lift which necessitated a forced landing in a field. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-26A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=8050116), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Environmental issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03030000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-26A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03030000/cases.md?model=8050116), [All aircraft, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03030000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-26A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=8050116), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-26A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=8050116), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the glider experienced a loss of lift during a cross country flight and he executed an off-airport approach and landing to a field. During the landing flare, the glider’s left wing struck a fence post. Subsequently the glider landed sideways and came to rest upright. Examination of the glider revealed that the left wing spar and the fuselage were structurally damaged. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the glider’s flight control systems. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the glider experienced a loss of lift during a cross country flight and he executed an off airport approach and landing to a field. During the landing flare, the glider’s left wing struck a fence post. Subsequently the glider landed sideways and came to rest upright. Examination of the glider revealed that the left wing spar and the fuselage were structurally damaged. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the glider’s flight control systems. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2701Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2701Z), registered now, S/N 222, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 1-26A - Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-26A](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-26a) (registry code 8050116) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 222 - Airframe hours: 1176 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Academic Soaring Club Inc - Registered owner: Academic Soaring Club Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 2009 - Departed: CL35, Warner Springs, CA - Destination: 54CL, Lake Riverside, CA - Airport: 54CL, Lake Riverside Estates Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; last flight review December 22, 2007; seat: single; flight hours: 1,994 total, 17 in this make and model, 1,942 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 109 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.76 inHg - Observed at: KPSP, 23 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 20090714013489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090714013489A), Jul 14, 2009: Scwzer SGS126A, Anza, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Flying northbound at 7000 ft, the glider descended rapidly due to loss of lift. The pilot made an forced landing in a dirty field 5 miles south of Anza,… ## Other investigations on N2701Z (1) 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 LAX75FUM22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX75FUM22), Apr 5, 1975: Schweizer SGS126 (N2701Z), San Diego, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 19, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74288. 533 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 533 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317470&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.