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Accidents · NTSB LAX82DA090 · Preliminary: the investigation is not finished

Schweizer SGS1-260 accident near Phoenix, Arizona, March 1, 1982

On March 1, 1982, a Schweizer SGS1-260 (glider), registered N7740S, was substantially damaged in an accident near Phoenix, Arizona (Pleasant Valley airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).

The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged

The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
March 1, 1982
Place
Phoenix, Arizona · Pleasant Valley · map
Type
Accident
Injuries
No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Schweizer SGS1-260 · all SGS1-260s on the register
Registration
N7740S · registry record · serial 440
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL THE GLIDER'S RIGHT WING COLLIDED WITH THE LEFT TIRE OF A PARKED AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY PULLING THE GLIDER OUT FARTHER.

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: student
  • Ratings: rotorcraft: glider
  • Flight time: 21 hours in all
  • Medical certificate: Unknown
  • Seat: unk

The aircraft

  • Airframe total time: 2,773 hours
  • Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
  • Maximum gross weight: 700 lb
  • Seats: 1
  • Landing gear: fixed
  • Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total

The flight

  • Departed from: AZO5 Phoenix AZ
  • Destination: AZO5 Phoenix AZ
  • Flight plan: none
  • Runway 0

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Sky: not recorded; not recorded
  • Temperature: 183°F (84°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Crew1

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.

Other NTSB records under N7740S the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time

1983-12-03LAX84LA092 · accident near Black Canyon, AZ · substantial damage · no injuries

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.