# NTSB WPR11CA411: Schweizer SGS 2-32, N5840V, Warner Springs, CA, August 28, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 28, 2011, 15:50 local (22:50 UTC) - Place: Warner Springs, CA - Coordinates: 33.314445, -116.58139 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3144&lon=-116.5814&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 1, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 81617 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA411 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81617/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81617 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA411 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate altitude to clear a ridgeline while maneuvering over a mountainous area. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Environmental issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03030000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-32, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03030000/cases.md?model=8050206), [All aircraft, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03030000/cases.md) - [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 2-32, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=8050206), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-32, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8050206), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-32, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=8050206), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-32, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=8050206), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-32, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8050206), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, his release from the tow plane was normal. He released the tow rope at 7,100 feet mean sea level (msl) while over a 6,500-foot msl mountaintop for a planned 1/2-hour sightseeing flight. Little to no indication of lift was noted in the area, and the pilot reversed course. When the glider had descended to 6,900 feet msl and was continuing to rapidly descend, the pilot again reversed course toward lower elevation terrain. The glider’s altitude was insufficient to clear a ridgeline. On the side of the mountain, about 6,400 feet msl, the glider impacted rocks, trees, and shrubs, which resulted in the glider’s wings breaking. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, his release from the tow plane was normal. The pilot released the tow rope at 7,100 feet mean sea level (msl) while over a 6,500-foot mean sea level (msl) mountaintop for a planned 1/2-hour sightseeing flight. Little to no indication of lift was noted in the area, and the pilot reversed course. When the glider had descended to 6,900 feet msl and was continuing to rapidly descend, the pilot again reversed course toward lower elevation terrain. The glider’s altitude was insufficient to clear a ridgeline. On the side of the mountain, about 6,400 feet msl, the glider impacted rocks, trees, and shrubs, which resulted in breakage of the glider’s wings, and serious injuries to the pilot. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5840V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5840V-2018-04-02), registration cancelled 2018-04-02, S/N 5, 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: 5 - Airframe hours: 17071 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Sky Sailing Inc - Registered owner: Sky Sailing Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 28, 2011 - Departed: LC35, Warner Springs, CA - Destination: LC35, Warner Springs, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: serious; flight instructor, commercial; last flight review May 19, 2010; seat: front; flight hours: 2,800 total, 500 in this make and model, 2,600 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F ## 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 20110828020389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110828020389A), Aug 28, 2011: Schweizer SGS 2-32, Warner Springs, CA, Destroyed. Pilot released from tow and set up for a turn around hot Springs mountain ranger station. During the turn to a northerly heading pilot allegedly encountered… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 11, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81617. 491 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 491 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354816&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.