Schweizer SGS 2-33A accident near Llano, California, April 12, 1997
On April 12, 1997 at about 11:30 pm local time, a Schweizer SGS 2-33A (glider), registered N2037T, was substantially damaged in an accident near Llano, California (Crystalaire airport). It was an instructional 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 student pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition, and his failure to maintain proper altitude and clearance from the boundry fence, during an approach to land on the runway. Factors relating to the accident were: the crosswind, and overshooting the turn to final approach (failing to attain proper runway alignment).
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 12, 1997 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Llano, California · Crystalaire · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGS 2-33A · all SGS 2-33As on the register
- Registration
- N2037T · registry record · serial 467
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Before entering the traffic pattern, the student pilot checked the windsock and the tetrahedron at midfield for current wind information, and proceeded to enter a standard 45-degree approach from the northeast. The wind was at a right angle to runway 7R, approximately 340 degrees, at an estimated 10 miles per hour. A left 90-degree turn onto the base leg was initiated with a tailwind. The pilot checked to make sure he was still inside the center line of the glider runway and transitioned to the final approach sequence. During rollout onto final approach, the aircraft was blown across the southern boundary fence. As the aircraft crossed back over the fence, the left wing struck a fence post.
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
- Flight time: 51 hours in all; 51 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 17 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,100 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 1, 1996; 150 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,040 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
- Operator: Civil Air Patrol Squadron 41
The flight
- Departed from: L01 at 10:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 7, 4,500 ft by 250 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°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.
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.