Schweizer 2-33A accident near Peoria, Arizona, April 8, 2001
On April 8, 2001 at about 7:35 pm local time, a Schweizer 2-33A (glider), registered N7778S, was substantially damaged in an accident near Peoria, Arizona (Pleasant Valley Airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The glider's encounter with a dust devil during takeoff that resulted in a loss of control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 8, 2001 · about 7:35 pm local time
- Place
- Peoria, Arizona · Pleasant Valley Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer 2-33A
- Registration
- N7778S · no longer on the register · serial 148
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
On takeoff, the glider encountered a dust devil, which resulted in the left wing to strike the ground, then lifting the glider about 50 feet into the air. The pilot released the tow line and the glider started a slow descending turn to the right until it struck the ground.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: glider; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 3,832 hours in all; 535 in this make and model; 120 in the last 90 days; 49 in the last 30 days; 3,671 as pilot in command; 1,209 on instruments
- Last flight review: December 30, 1999
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 15,015 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 12, 2001; 39 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,040 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine:; 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: AZ05 Peoria AZ at 7:35 pm
- Destination: Peoria AR
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 23, 1,500 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 5 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 7,500 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.