Schweizer SGS 2-32 accident near Warner Springs, California, August 28, 2011
On August 28, 2011 at about 10:50 pm local time, a Schweizer SGS 2-32 (glider), registered N5840V, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Warner Springs, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s inadequate altitude to clear a ridgeline while maneuvering over a mountainous area.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 28, 2011 · about 10:50 pm local time
- Place
- Warner Springs, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGS 2-32 · all SGS 2-32s on the register
- Registration
- N5840V · no longer on the register · serial 5
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, his release from the tow plane was normal. He released the tow rope at 7,100 feet mean sea level (msl) while over a 6,500-foot msl mountaintop for a planned 1/2-hour sightseeing flight. Little to no indication of lift was noted in the area, and the pilot reversed course. When the glider had descended to 6,900 feet msl and was continuing to rapidly descend, the pilot again reversed course toward lower elevation terrain. The glider’s altitude was insufficient to clear a ridgeline. On the side of the mountain, about 6,400 feet msl, the glider impacted rocks, trees, and shrubs, which resulted in the glider’s wings breaking.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of lift during maneuvering defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › (general) › (general) › Contributed to outcome
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Attain/maintain not possible
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: glider; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 2,800 hours in all; 500 in this make and model; 25 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 2,600 as pilot in command; 825 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 19, 2010
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 17,071 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, June 28, 2011
- Maximum gross weight: 1,440 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Sky Sailing INC
The flight
- Departed from: LC35 Warner Springs CA
- Destination: LC35 Warner Springs CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.