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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

May 25, 1996 · Schweizer 1-24 · N91888

Tehachapi, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 25, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Tehachapi, CA
Aircraft
Schweizer 1-24
Tail Number
N91888
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX96LA218

The glider pilot was inbound to land on the glider runway. Two gliders were in position for launch from the mid-runway launch point. The pilot decided to land in a grass covered area between the glider runway and the powered aircraft runway. Witnesses stated that the glider was fast on final approach with no sign of spoiler use. The glider touched down and drifted into the two gliders in position. An instructor pilot stated that the glider was traveling about 50 knots when it hit the first glider. Spoiler use was observed by witnesses when a collision was imminent. The wheel brake is activated with full spoiler deployment. Normal flight procedures for landing are to land on the glider runway with gliders in launch position at the mid-runway position. If the pilot feels uncomfortable about the approach, he is to land on the power aircraft runway.

NTSB Probable Cause

the glider pilot's decision to land on the grass covered infield instead of the alternate runway, and the pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper use of the spoilers and brakes.

Full Narrative

On May 25, 1996, about 1500 hours Pacific daylight time, a Schweizer 1-24 sailplane, N91888, was substantially damaged during landing at the Mountain Valley Airport, Tehachapi, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. The pilot was not injured. The flight originated from the Mountain Valley airport as a local area soaring flight. On landing, the sailplane collided with two parked sailplanes. In the pilot's written report to the Safety Board he stated that he was making a normal landing approach to runway 27R, at 60 mph. On final approach two gliders were in launch position on runway 27R, so the pilot elected to land on the grass strip between the runways 27L and 27R. The pilot stated that he came over the end of the runway at 50 feet. He touched down in the grass with full dive brake/spoiler and wheel brake, but continued to roll while veering to the right. He stated that his speed did not bleed off as normal. Witnesses stated that the glider appeared to be fast on final approach. They also reported that they did not see spoilers used until a point that the collision was imminent. The wheel brake is activated from the aft travel of the spoiler control. An instructor witness awaiting launch sequence with a student stated that the accident glider landed mid-runway in the dry grass and was traveling about 50 knots when it hit the first (the instructors) parked glider. This glider was number 2 for launch from the center of runway 27R. The normal procedure used for the glider runway (27R) is to position one or two gliders mid-runway for launch. Inbound gliders land behind the launch position gliders. If the pilot is uncomfortable during the approach with landing behind the positioned gliders, the procedure is to land on the powered aircraft runway (27L).

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 PDT
Nearest AirportMountain Valley Airport (0nm)
Runway27R
Runway Length5190 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchweizer 1-24
Tail NumberN91888
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 82 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 15 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data