Schweizer SGS1-26-D accident near Warner Springs, California, April 2, 1991
On April 2, 1991 at about 7:01 am local time, a Schweizer SGS1-26-D (glider), registered N7562, was destroyed in an accident near Warner Springs, California (Warner Springs airport). It was an instructional 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
THAT THE PILOT USED POOR PLANNING/DECISION AND FAILED TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED. CONTRIBUTING TO HIS ACCIDENT WAS THE LOSS OF THERMAL LIFT AND LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE OF AIRCRAFT.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 2, 1991 · about 7:01 am local time
- Place
- Warner Springs, California · Warner Springs · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGS1-26-D · all SGS1-26-Ds on the register
- Registration
- N7562 · no longer on the register · serial 463
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THIS CERTIFICATED COMMERCIAL FIXED WING PILOT WAS PRACTICING FOR AN UPCOMING GLIDER FLIGHT TEST. HE WAS AERO TOWED FROM THE GLIDERPORT AT ABOUT 1340 HOURS. WHEN THE GLIDER DID NOT RETURN BY 1700 HOURS THE OPERATOR DISPATCHED 3 TOW AIRPLANE'S TO SEARCH FOR THE GLIDER. THE GLIDER WAS LOCATED AT ABOUT 1750 HOURS. THE PILOT TOLD THE OPERATOR THAT THE GLIDER STARTED LOSING ALTITUDE WHEN RETURNING TO THE GLINDERPORT. HE ELECTED TO FLY ALONG THE RIDGE IN HOPES OF ATTAINING ADDITIONAL THERMALS BUT HE ALLOWED THE AIRSPEED TO DIMINISH. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE GLIDER STALLED AND SPUN IN.
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: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 3,800 hours in all; 6 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, January 2, 2000
- Maximum gross weight: 600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°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.
Other NTSB records under N7562 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.