Schweizer SGS 2-33A and Piper PA-25-235 mid-air collision near Jean, Nevada, August 2, 2008
On August 2, 2008 at about 9:20 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Schweizer SGS 2-33A (N33923) and Piper PA-25-235 (N7211Z), were involved in a mid-air collision near Jean, Nevada (Jean airport). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other aircraft while maneuvering over the airport.
The failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other aircraft while maneuvering over the airport.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 2, 2008 · about 9:20 pm local time
- Place
- Jean, Nevada · Jean · map
- Type
- Accident · mid-air collision
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Schweizer SGS 2-33A · all SGS 2-33As on the register
- Registration
- N33923 · registry record · serial 413
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Piper PA-25-235 · all PA-25-235s on the register
- Registration
- N7211Z · registry record · serial 25-3122
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Glider-towing flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Schweizer SGS 2-33A final · quoted from the NTSB record
The glider and a tow plane collided in flight while maneuvering over the airport. Both pilots reported that the glider had performed a normal tow breakaway at 3,000 feet mean sea level and turned right 60-70 degrees. After the glider released the tow line, the tow plane turned left 90 degrees, held that course for about 30 seconds, then turned right 90 degrees, coming to a course that approximately paralleled the original course. The tow plane pilot turned the airplane back to the southwest and continued the descent to the airport. Neither pilot kept the other airplane in visual contact as they maneuvered over the airport. The tow plane pilot said that he did not see the glider beneath the nose and instrument panel of his airplane. The right landing gear of the tow plane contacted the tail of the glider at a slight left to right crossing angle. The collision occurred while both airplanes were on a southwesterly course. The glider pilot said the rudder pedals had become ineffective, but he was able to maintain directional control by using angle of bank. Both airplanes landed safely at the airport.
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 NTSB's narrative for the Piper PA-25-235 final · quoted from the NTSB record
The glider and a tow plane collided in flight while maneuvering over the airport. Both pilots reported that the glider had performed a normal tow breakaway at 3,000 feet mean sea level and turned right 60-70 degrees. After the glider released the tow line, the tow plane turned left 90 degrees, held that course for about 30 seconds, then turned right 90 degrees, coming to a course that approximately paralleled the original course. The tow plane pilot turned the airplane back to the southwest and continued the descent to the airport. Neither pilot kept the other airplane in visual contact as they maneuvered over the airport. The tow plane pilot said that he did not see the glider beneath the nose and instrument panel of his airplane. The right landing gear of the tow plane contacted the tail of the glider at a slight left to right crossing angle. The collision occurred while both airplanes were on a southwesterly course. The glider pilot said the rudder pedals had become ineffective, but he was able to maintain directional control by using angle of bank. Both airplanes landed safely at the airport.
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 for the Schweizer SGS 2-33A from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Midair collision during maneuvering defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring other aircraft › Pilot
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: glider; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 1,272 hours in all; 489 in this make and model; 1,175 as pilot in command; 514 on instruments
- Last flight review: January 28, 2007
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,936 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 1, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 1,040 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Las Vegas Valley Soaring Assoc
The flight
- Departed from: KOL7 Jean NV at 9:13 pm
- Destination: KOL7 Jean NV
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 108°F (42°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observation at 9:56 pm from KHND, 16 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
The factual record for the Piper PA-25-235 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Midair collision during maneuvering defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring other aircraft › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 6,305 hours in all; 238 in this make and model; 34 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 5,613 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 27, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 11,950 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 29, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 2,900 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-B2C5-A1 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Las Vegas Valley Soaring Association
The flight
- Departed from: KOL7 Jean NV at 9:13 pm
- Destination: KOL7 Jean NV
- Flight plan: none
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.