# NTSB WPR12LA285: Schweizer SGS233, N2061T, Truckee, CA, June 9, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 9, 2012, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Truckee, CA - Coordinates: 39.319999, -120.137779 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3200&lon=-120.1378&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 3, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 84155 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12LA285 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84155/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84155 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA285 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the glider while taking off with a gusting wind, which resulted in the glider impacting a runway sign. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the takeoff roll, the glider encountered a strong gust of wind from behind the aircraft, which caused it to veer to the left. The pilot was able to release from the tow plane, but was unable to lift the left wing to an adequate height before it collided with a runway distance remaining sign. Although the pilot contended that the sign had been an obstruction from the time the airport crew had moved it from behind the takeoff area to in front of the takeoff area, the distance of the sign from the runway was consistent with parameters outlined in a Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular (AC) on the placement of runway distance remaining signs. At the time of the accident the wind was variable at 10 knots with gusts to 15 knots. ## Factual narrative On June 9, 2012, about 0930 Pacific daylight time, a Schweizer SGS 2-33A glider, N2061T, was substantially damaged after colliding with an airport sign at the Truckee-Tahoe Airport (TRK), Truckee, California. The certified commercial pilot, who occupied the front seat and his sole passenger, who occupied the rear seat, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and a flight plan was not filed. The proposed local flight, which was originating at the time of the accident, was being operated in accordance with 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. In a written statement submitted to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC), as well as in a follow up telephone conversation with the IIC, the pilot reported that on the takeoff roll from runway 19, he was unable to lift the left wing before the wing tip struck the [3,000-foot] runway distance remaining sign; the outboard section of the left wing sustained substantial damage as a result of the collision. The pilot further reported that he was able to release from the [tow airplane] in time, but was unable to stop before the glider collided with the sign. The pilot stated that the cause of the accident was due to a sudden and strong wind gust from behind the glider, and that at the time of the accident the wind was variable at 10 knots, with gusts to 15 knots. The pilot added that the sign in question has been an obstruction since the airport crew moved it from behind the takeoff area to in front of the takeoff area. During the investigation, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspector assigned to the accident provided documentation from a FAA civil engineer assigned to the San Francisco Airports District Office, which included pertinent data relative to the placement of the subject sign. The civil engineer referenced FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5340-18F, Chapter 2, Runway Distance Remaining Signs, and determined that the subject sign's location was in compliance with the distance requirements as outlined in the AC. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2061T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2061T), registered now, S/N 491, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS233 (A) - Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-2-33a) (registry code 8051606) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 491 - Airframe hours: 1336 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Soar Truckee Inc. - Registered owner: Soar Truckee Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 18, 2012, 0 hours before - Departed: TRK, Truckee, CA - Destination: TRK, Truckee, CA - Airport: TRK, Truckee-Tahoe Airport, runway 19, 4,650 × 75 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review January 26, 2012; seat: front; flight hours: 21,937 total, 5,500 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: TRK ## 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 20120609012129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120609012129A), Jun 9, 2012: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, Truckee, CA, Substantial damage. N2061T, sgs 2-33A glider, pilot stated he was reportedly hooked up for a tow, started takeoff roll and encountered a gust of wind at Truckee, CA airport.… ## Other investigations on N2061T (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 LAX80DXQ17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80DXQ17), Jan 27, 1980: Schweizer SG2-33 (N2061T), Reno, NV, substantial damage ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 5, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84155. 11.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 7.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403470&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Data (item 2, .PDF, 268 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396664&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Data-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 3, .PDF, 265 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396663&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - FAA Engineer's Statement (item 4, .PDF, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396687&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Engineer%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - FAA Advisory Circular 150/5340-18F Standards for Airport Sign Systems (item 5, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396686&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Advisory%20Circular%20150%2F5340-18F%20Standards%20for%20Airport%20Sign%20Systems-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.