# NTSB WPR12CA278: Schweizer SGS 1-36, N3617U, Bishop, CA, June 27, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 27, 2012, 15:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Bishop, CA
- Coordinates: 37.408054, -118.340553 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4081&lon=-118.3406&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 13, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 84120
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA278
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84120/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84120
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA278

## Probable cause

The glider’s encounter with insufficient atmospheric lift to maintain soaring flight, which resulted in an off-airport landing.

## Findings

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

- [Temp/humidity/pressure: thermal lifting](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-36, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031040/cases.md?model=8050153), [All aircraft, 53 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Enroute: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-36, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=8050153), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-36, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=8050153), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, after 1.5 hours of soaring, he was en route to the airport when he encountered significant sink (loss of lift) and was forced to land in a pasture about 2 miles from the approach end of the runway. The glider sustained damage to its right wing tip and empennage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that after 1.5 hours of soaring he was en route back to the airport when he encountered significant sink (loss of lift) and was forced to land in a pasture 2.1 miles northeast of the approach end of the runway. The glider sustained damage to the right wing tip and empennage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3617U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3617U-2021-09-04), registration cancelled 2021-09-04, S/N 18, built 1981 (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: 18
- Airframe hours: 1284
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sierra Fliers
- Registered owner: Suter Laurance J
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 2012
- Departed: KBIH, Bishop, CA
- Destination: KBIH, Bishop, CA
- Airport: KBIH, Bishop

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 28, 2011; seat: single; flight hours: 1,800 total, 17 in this make and model, 136 in the last 90 days, 51 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 14 knots, gusting 31
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observed at: KBIH, 3 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 20120627013049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120627013049A), Jun 27, 2012: Schweizer SGS 1-36, Bishop, CA, Substantial damage. Glider, N3617U, launched from the bih airport on June 27, 2012 via aero tow at about 1430 local and was towed to an altitude of 3000 feet AGL above the white…

## Other investigations on N3617U (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 LAX84LA492](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA492), Sep 22, 1984: Schweizer SGS 1-36 (N3617U), Marana, AZ, substantial damage

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 23, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84120.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40373108&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 - Damaged glider (item 2, .PDF): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40373109&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Damaged%20glider-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.

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