Schweizer SGS 2-33A accident near Peoria, Arizona, January 28, 2012
On January 28, 2012 at about 5:15 pm local time, a Schweizer SGS 2-33A (glider), registered N17873, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (climb to cruise) near Peoria, Arizona (Pleasant Valley Airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The glider pilot released from the tow airplane at a lower altitude than the planned altitude, which resulted in an off-airport landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 28, 2012 · about 5:15 pm local time
- Place
- Peoria, Arizona · Pleasant Valley Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGS 2-33A · all SGS 2-33As on the register
- Registration
- N17873 · registry record · serial 243
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The glider pilot stated that he set the altimeter to the field elevation of 1,600 feet mean sea level (msl) before takeoff. He planned to have the glider towed to 4,000 feet above ground level (agl), which would be 5,600 feet msl, then to release the tow line. During the tow, the pilot released from the tow plane when the altimeter read 4,000 feet (which was 2,400 feet agl). During the return glide back to the airport in a headwind, he realized he was too low to make it to the airport and executed a landing 2 miles short of the runway into desert terrain. On final approach for landing, the pilot maneuvered the glider to avoid a canal. The glider landed hard, and the fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated that he mistakenly released from the tow at 4,000 feet msl, when he should have released at 4,000 feet agl. He also stated that the glider had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.
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
- Glider tow event during enroute (climb to cruise) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action sequence › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: glider; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 11,658 hours in all; 151 in this make and model
- Last flight review: April 22, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,217 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 2, 2011
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Pleasant Valley Soaring LLC
The flight
- Departed from: KP48 Peoria AZ
- Destination: KP48 Peoria AZ
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 8 knots
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 3°F (-16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from KDVT, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.