# NTSB WPR13CA333: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N2052T, Hood River, OR, July 20, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 20, 2013, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Hood River, OR - Coordinates: 45.668609, -121.508331 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6686&lon=-121.5083&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern base: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 19, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA Hillsboro FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 87523 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA333 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87523/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87523 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA333 ## Probable cause The glider encountered atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, which resulted in an off airport landing on rough terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern base: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern base: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the glider was 2 miles from the airport on an extended base leg, when it encountered a loss of lift. He could not make it to the runway, so he landed off airport in a field, which was too short for a normal rollout. The pilot intentionally ground-looped the glider to avoid a fence, but the terrain was rough, and the fuselage and right wing were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that the glider was 2 miles from the airport on an extended base leg, when it encountered a loss of lift. He could not make it to the runway, so he landed off airport in a field, which was too short for a normal rollout. The pilot intentionally ground-looped the glider to avoid a fence, but the terrain was rough, and the fuselage and right wing were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2052T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2052T), registered now, S/N 497 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 2-33A - 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: 497 - Airframe hours: 2254 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Gary Boggs - Registered owner: Gary Boggs - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 20, 2013 - Departed: 4S2, Hood River, OR - Destination: 4S2, Hood River, OR - Airport: 4S2, Hood River, runway 25, 3,000 × 75 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; commercial; last flight review September 25, 2011; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,200 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 3,100 as pilot in command, 183 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 16 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KCZK ## 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 20130720014429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130720014429A), Jul 20, 2013: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, Hood River, OR, Substantial damage. Pilot and pax reported downdraft when approx 1 mile out from airport. Landed hard in horse pasture. Substantial damage to empanage and rt wing. ## Other investigations on N2052T (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 SEA06CA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06CA125), Jun 18, 2006: Schweizer SGS 2-33A (N2052T), Hood River, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of lift, which resulted in a forced landing. Trees in the landing area were a contributing factor. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 7, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87523. 874 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 874 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40398614&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.