Schweizer SGS-1-35C accident near Palm Springs, California, September 27, 1986
On September 27, 1986 at about 10:40 pm local time, a Schweizer SGS-1-35C (glider), registered N2673H, was substantially damaged in an accident near Palm Springs, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. 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
- September 27, 1986 · about 10:40 pm local time
- Place
- Palm Springs, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGS-1-35C · all SGS-1-35Cs on the register
- Registration
- N2673H · no longer on the register · serial 73
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING A PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE ACFT WAS NOT GETTING THE LIFT REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN ALT. THE PLT DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE ARPT, HOWEVER, ENROUTE THE PLT REALIZED THAT HE WOULD NOT MAKE IT BACK TO THE RWY. THE PLT DECIDED TO LAND IN AN EAST WEST DIRECTION ON A SANDY AREA AND DID NOT REALIZE UNTIL ON FINAL APPROACH THAT HE HAD A CONSIDERABLE CROSSWIND. ON SHORT FINAL THE NOSE OF THE ACFT RAISED, THE LEFT WING DROPPED AND THE ACFT ENTERED A SPIN. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE.
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: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 121 hours in all; 9 in this make and model; 9 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 344 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 27, 1986
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: HMT Hemet CA at 8:20 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 35 knots, gusting 50
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: scat
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.