Schweizer SGS1-26-D N7562
2 April 1991 · Warner Springs, California, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 2 April 1991 at about 07:01 local time, a Schweizer SGS1-26-D registered N7562, operated by Willat, Bert, was involved in an accident near Warner Springs, California, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 07:01
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Warner Springs, California, United States
- Nearest airport
- Warner Springs
- Coordinates
- 33.2793, -116.6002
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGS1-26-D
- Registration
- N7562
- Category
- Glider
- Operator
- Willat, Bert
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX91LA155
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
THAT THE PILOT USED POOR PLANNING/DECISION AND FAILED TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED. CONTRIBUTING TO HIS ACCIDENT WAS THE LOSS OF THERMAL LIFT AND LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE OF AIRCRAFT.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THIS CERTIFICATED COMMERCIAL FIXED WING PILOT WAS PRACTICING FOR AN UPCOMING GLIDER FLIGHT TEST. HE WAS AERO TOWED FROM THE GLIDERPORT AT ABOUT 1340 HOURS. WHEN THE GLIDER DID NOT RETURN BY 1700 HOURS THE OPERATOR DISPATCHED 3 TOW AIRPLANE'S TO SEARCH FOR THE GLIDER. THE GLIDER WAS LOCATED AT ABOUT 1750 HOURS. THE PILOT TOLD THE OPERATOR THAT THE GLIDER STARTED LOSING ALTITUDE WHEN RETURNING TO THE GLINDERPORT. HE ELECTED TO FLY ALONG THE RIDGE IN HOPES OF ATTAINING ADDITIONAL THERMALS BUT HE ALLOWED THE AIRSPEED TO DIMINISH. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE GLIDER STALLED AND SPUN IN.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Schweizer SGS1 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 Sep 1990 | Schweizer SGS1-34 | Hemet, California, United States | Sailplane Enterprise, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 7 Apr 1996 | Schweizer SGS1-34 | Inyokern, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 30 Apr 1985 | Schweizer SGS1-36 | Hemet, California, United States | Sailplane Enterprises | No injuries | - |
| 13 Oct 1997 | Schweizer SGS1-26A | Fairfield, Pennsylvania, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 8 Apr 1984 | Schweizer SGS1-26C | Mount Vernon, Washington, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 28 May 1984 | Schweizer SGS1-26D | Lucerne Valley, California, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Jul 1991 | Cessna C-172P | Hesperia, California, United States | South Bay Aviation | No injuries | - |
| 24 Jul 1991 | Cessna 172N | Napa, California, United States | Bridgeford Flying SVC. | No injuries | - |
| 24 Jul 1991 | Beechcraft 76 | Sacramento, California, United States | Altair Aviation Corp. | No injuries | - |
| 27 Jul 1991 | Ayres S2R | Visalia, California, United States | Gilbert Aviation Industries | Serious injuries | - |
| 1 Aug 1991 | Cessna 421C | Auburn, California, United States | Edward Mueller | No injuries | - |
| 2 Aug 1991 | Champion 7GCBC | Lake Elsinore, California, United States | Halbeisen, John F | Fatal | 2 |