Schweizer SGS 1-26C accident near Tehachapi, California, June 23, 2000
On June 23, 2000 at about 8:15 pm local time, a Schweizer SGS 1-26C (glider), registered N2792Z, was substantially damaged in an accident near Tehachapi, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft speed and control while maneuvering to land.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 23, 2000 · about 8:15 pm local time
- Place
- Tehachapi, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGS 1-26C · all SGS 1-26Cs on the register
- Registration
- N2792Z · registry record · serial 294
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The glider was observed to continue in a 360-degree turn until it impacted the ground after it made the downwind to base turn for landing. A witness reported having a conversation with the pilot 2 days prior to the accident. The pilot stated to the witness that the flight had gone well and there were no problems noted with the glider. An inspection of the glider was conducted. Control continuity was established from the control stick in the cockpit to the left aileron, rudder, and elevator. One-third of the right wing separated from the wing structure. Control continuity of the outboard portion of the right wing from the aileron to the separated control tube was established. No further discrepancies were noted.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 6,000 hours in all; 50 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,203 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 7, 1999
- Maximum gross weight: 600 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: L94
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 14,000 ft
- Temperature: 180°F (82°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Observation at 8:15 pm from L94
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number LAX00LA240.