# NTSB WPR25LA138: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N5786S, Hood River, OR, April 19, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 19, 2025, 11:37 local (18:37 UTC) - Place: Hood River, OR - Coordinates: 45.67428, -121.52163 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6743&lon=-121.5216&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 200048 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR25LA138 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200048/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200048 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA138 ## Probable cause The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight. ## 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 · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031040/cases.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 53 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031040/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 2-33A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/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 final: 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) - [Landing: 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 flight instructor reported that while turning final, the glider encountered a loss of lift and there was not sufficient altitude to reach the airport. The instructor chose to land in an orchard, and during the landing roll, the glider struck several small trees, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5786S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5786S), registered now, S/N 115, built 1968 (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: 115 - Year built: 1968 - Airframe hours: 2841 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 24, 2024 - Departed: 4S2, Hood River, OR - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: 4S2, Ken Jernstedt Airfield, runway 07/25, 3,040 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; last flight review October 16, 2024; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 372.2 total, 16.9 in this make and model, 357.9 as pilot in command, 78.7 in the last 90 days, 33.3 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 4 total, 4 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 12 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Turbulence: Extreme - Observed at: K4S2, 1 nm away - METAR: K4S2 191835Z AUTO 31012G20KT 260V320 10SM CLR 15/02 A3013 RMK AO2 ## 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 20250419003359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250419003359A), Apr 19, 2025: Schweizer ANM0925013, Hood River, OR, Substantial damage. On 04/19/2025 at 11:42 PDT during an instructional flight for practicing take offs and landings in the pattern, the glider was launched behind the tow… ## Other investigations on N5786S (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 SEA85LA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA002), Oct 4, 1984: Schweizer SGS 2-33A (N5786S), Hood River, OR, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 3, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200048. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 13 pages, 247 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18670653&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20form%20digitalform%20WPR25LA138%20N5786S%20FLAT_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 82 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18671488&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20Brian%20Hart%2004292025%20email%2005152023%20Phone-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18679481&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR25LA138%20Photo%20%20array-Rel.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.