# NTSB WPR10CA244: Schweizer SGS136, N3617E, Reno, NV, May 16, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 15, 2010, 17:40 local (May 16, 2010, 00:40 UTC)
- Place: Reno, NV
- Coordinates: 39.866664, -119.699996 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8667&lon=-119.7000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 1, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 76016
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA244
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76016/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76016
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA244

## Probable cause

The student pilot’s selection of the wrong runway for the wind conditions and his failure to attain the proper touchdown point. Contributing to the accident was the student's lack of total experience, lack of experience in the operating area, lack of experience in the make and model, and an inadequate evaluation of the winds during landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-36, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=8050153), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-36, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=8050153), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Experience/qualifications: total experience](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-36, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015/cases.md?model=8050153), [All aircraft, 126 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015/cases.md)
- [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-36, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=8050153), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md)
- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-36, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=8050153), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-36, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=8050153), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-36, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8050153), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The student pilot had two dual flights in an ASK 21 glider to check out the local area since he had never flown from this airport or from a dirt runway. He received an endorsement to fly the Schweizer SG136 solo after the two dual flights; however, he had no other time in this make and model, and his total time was 60 hours. The departure was from runway 17. He maneuvered for about 1 1/2 hours and then returned to land. He noted that the radios were garbled on occasion. He did not hear the transmission indicating that the winds had shifted, and now favored landing on runway 21. He overflew the airport and observed the tetrahedron and windsock, which indicated that the wind was about 13 knots straight down runway 21. He said that he erroneously concluded that the wind was lighter than it was and decided to land on runway 03, which was the only runway he had utilized during the day. The instructor had briefed him that the winds could reverse from morning to afternoon. He said that he turned base too short, and was very high. With the tailwind, he began to run out of runway. He slipped once, and then brought the glider to level. He was about 50 feet above ground level (agl) at the midpoint of the runway. He slipped hard again, and noted as he came out of the slip that he had turned the glider to the right. He flew between a hangar and a clubhouse, and the left wing tore a gash in a trailer with a glider in it. The left wing and tail sustained substantial damage. The pilot sustained cuts on both hands, abrasions on his right leg, and whiplash to his neck.

## Factual narrative

The student pilot had two dual flights in an ASK 21 glider to check out the local area since he had never flown from this airport or from a dirt runway. He received an endorsement to fly the Schweizer SG136 solo after the two dual flights; however, he had no time in this make and model, and his total time was 60 hours. He did not expect a long flight due to the wind conditions, and did not use oxygen. The departure was from runway 17. He released at 7,300 feet mean sea level, and maneuvered for about 1 1/2 hours while maintaining 9,000 to 11,000 feet. He was returning to land, but noted that the radios were garbled on occasion. He did not hear the transmission indicating that the winds had shifted, and now favored landing on runway 21. He overflew the airport, and observed the tetrahedron and windsock, which indicated that the wind was about 13 knots straight down runway 21. He said that he erroneously concluded that the wind was lighter than it was, and decided to land on runway 03, which was the only runway he had utilized during the day. The instructor had briefed him that the winds could reverse from morning to afternoon. He said that he turned base too short, and was very high. With the tail wind, he began to run out of runway. He slipped once, and then brought the glider to level. He was about 50 feet above ground level (agl) at the midpoint of the runway. He slipped hard again, and noted as he came out of the slip that he had turned the glider to the right. He flew between a hangar and a clubhouse, and the left wing tore a gash in a trailer with a glider in it. The left wing and tail sustained substantial damage. The pilot sustained cuts on both hands, abrasions on his right leg, and whip lash to his neck.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3617E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3617E), registered now, S/N 16 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS136 (NO SERIES)
- 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: 16
- Airframe hours: 3027
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Sierra Fliers LLC
- Registered owner: Sierra Fliers LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 2010
- Departed: NV23, Reno, NV
- Destination: NV23, Reno, NV
- Airport: NV23, Air Sailing Gliderport, runway 03, 3,100 × 100 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; injuries: minor; student; seat: front; flight hours: 60 total, 0 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 6 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 18,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: KRNO, 10 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 20100515033811A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100515033811A), May 15, 2010: Schweizer SGS 1-36, Reno, NV, Substantial damage. Eye witness to the accident reported that during landing on runway 3 that the pilot veered to the right of the runway and struck a parked glider N2509H, on its…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 2, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76016. 516 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 516 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40330504&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.

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