Schweizer SGS 2-32 accident near Peoria, Arizona, March 1, 2002
On March 1, 2002, a Schweizer SGS 2-32 (glider), registered N2466W, was substantially damaged in an accident near Peoria, Arizona (Pleasant Valley airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Failure of the cyclist to coordinate and communicate that he was on the active runway. A contributing factor was the sun glare encountered by the pilot on final approach.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 1, 2002
- Place
- Peoria, Arizona · Pleasant Valley · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGS 2-32 · all SGS 2-32s on the register
- Registration
- N2466W · registry record · serial 48
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
On landing touchdown the right wing of the glider struck a cyclist who was on the active runway. A prelanding checklist was conducted that included visually checking to see that the runway was free of objects. The landing was made into the setting sun and the pilot did not see the cyclist until the landing gear had touched down on the runway. The pilot made an unsuccessful attempt to maneuver the glider away from the cyclist.
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
- Ratings: rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 66 hours in all; 46 in this make and model
- Last flight review: November 1, 2001
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,006 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, February 25, 2002; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,430 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine:; 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: P48 Peoria AZ at 11:30 pm
- Destination: P48 Peoria AZ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 23, 4,200 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 18°F (-8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.69 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 pm from DVT, 11 miles away
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.