Schweizer SGS 1-34 N7636

Summary

On 23 September 1997 at about 21:45 local time, a Schweizer SGS 1-34 registered N7636 was involved in an accident near Heber City, Utah, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

23 September 1997 at 21:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Heber City, Utah, United States

Nearest airport

Heber Valley Airport (36U)

Coordinates

40.4297, -111.1899

Aircraft

Schweizer SGS 1-34

Registration

N7636

Category

Glider

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW97LA360

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's improper use of spoilers during the landing sequence. Factors were the embankment and the fence.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, he 'entered the pattern on a 45 degree diagonal intercept to the downwind leg of a left-hand pattern approach to runway 21.' He stated that he used the spoilers on downwind, base, and final approach, but 'continued to float down the entire runway due to ground effect.' The glider's center wheel bounced on the runway 2 or 3 times before the aircraft overran the runway and impacted an embankment and fence. The pilot reported that 'it appears that the spoilers were not extended.' He stated 'it is possible that I was pulling on the spoiler engagement lever without depressing the button at the top of the lever which unlocks the spoilers.' The pilot reported to the Investigator-In-Charge that he has 340 hours of flight time in aircraft, of which 25 hours is in gliders. The pilot further reported that he has 53 flights in gliders.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.