# NTSB WPR14CA350: Schweizer SGS 1 34, N7628, Marana, AZ, August 19, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 19, 2014, 12:11 local (19:11 UTC) - Place: Marana, AZ - Coordinates: 32.426944, -111.389442 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4269&lon=-111.3894&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 5, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 89917 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA350 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89917/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89917 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA350 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to ensure the canopy was locked during the pre-takeoff inspection which led to the canopy opening in flight and the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the subsequent landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-34, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=8050146), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/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 1-34, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8050146), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-34, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=8050146), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-34, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=8050146), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Doors: passenger/crew doors](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Unintentional use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-34, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/cases.md?model=8050146), [All aircraft, 86 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/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 1-34, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=8050146), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-34, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=8050146), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-34, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=8050146), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-34, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=8050146), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-34, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8050146), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during initial climb out, while under tow, the glider's canopy became loose. Despite his attempts he was unable to lock the canopy. As a result of trying to lock the canopy, he lost sight of the tow airplane so he elected to disconnect the tow rope about 300 feet above ground level. The pilot stated that he had to use his left hand to hold the canopy closed during flight and was unable to deploy the spoilers. Without use of the spoilers and a tailwind, the pilot aborted the approach due to the glider traveling too fast for landing so he turned right in an attempt to land on a perpendicular runway. During the landing, the glider encountered additional lift and bounced upon touchdown. The pilot elected to land off-field to the right of the runway. During the landing sequence, the right wing struck a tree and the glider landed hard, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot further reported that he failed to ensure the canopy was locked during the pre-takeoff inspection. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during initial climbing out, while under tow, the glider's canopy became loose. Despite his attempts he was unable to lock the canopy. As a result of trying to lock the canopy, he lost sight of the tow airplane so he elected to disconnect the tow rope about 300 feet above ground level. The pilot stated that he had to use his left hand to hold the canopy closed during flight and was unable to deploy the spoilers. Without use of the spoilers and a tailwind, the pilot aborted the approach due to the glider traveling too fast for landing so he turned right in an attempt to land on a perpendicular runway. During the landing, the glider encountered additional lift and bounced upon touchdown. The pilot elected to land off-field to the right of the runway. During the landing sequence, the right wing struck a tree and the glider landed hard, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot further reported that he failed to ensure the canopy was locked during the pre-takeoff inspection. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7628](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7628-2015-06-16), registration cancelled 2015-06-16, S/N 8, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 1 34 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-34](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-34) (registry code 8050146) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 8 - Year built: 1969 - Airframe hours: 1541 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 12, 2014 - Departed: AZ67, Marana, AZ - Destination: AZ67, Marana, AZ - Airport: AZ67, El Tiro, runway 08R, 5,000 × 100 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: minor; airline transport, flight engineer, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 23, 2013; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 26,000 total, 5 in this make and model, 21,000 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 7 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: RYN, 20 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 20140819016279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140819016279A), Aug 19, 2014: Schweizer SGS 1-34, Marana, AZ, Substantial damage. N7628 is a Schweizer single seat ags 1-34 glider. At approximately 11:05 a.m. on August 19, 2014, N7628 disconnected from the tow plane during the climb out.… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 20, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89917. 399 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 399 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419253&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-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.