Schweizer SGS-1-35 accident near Marana, Arizona, August 3, 1986
On August 3, 1986 at about 8:30 pm local time, a Schweizer SGS-1-35 (glider), registered N34180, was substantially damaged in an accident near Marana, Arizona (Taylor Field). 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
- August 3, 1986 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Marana, Arizona · Taylor Field
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGS-1-35 · all SGS-1-35s on the register
- Registration
- N34180 · registry record · serial 20
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A SCHWEIZER SGS 1-35, LANDED HARD AFTER A STEEP FINAL APPROACH. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT HE WAS HIGH ON FINAL APPROACH AND INITIALLY APPLIED 30 DEGREES OF FLAPS. HE WAS STILL TOO HIGH AND ELECTED TO USE 80 DEGREES (FULL) FLAPS. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD NOSE DONW ON THE AIRCRAFT BELLY FORWARD OF LANDING GEAR. THE AIRCRAFT CANOPY WAS BROKEN IMMEDIATELY BY THE IMPACT. THE AIRCRAFT THEN OVERRAN THE DIRT RUNWAY AND CAME TO REST IN VEGETATION OFF THE END. THE PILOT ALSO INDICATED THAT THIS WAS HIS FIRST FLIGHT IN THIS MODEL GLIDER AND THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.
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: 33 hours in all; 1 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 22 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 930 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: None NONE (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Marana AZ at 8:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 3,000 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 3 knots, gusting 5
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 99°F (37°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.