Schweizer SGS233 accident near Truckee, California, June 9, 2012
On June 9, 2012 at about 4:30 pm local time, a Schweizer SGS233 (glider), registered N2061T, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Truckee, California (Truckee-Tahoe Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the glider while taking off with a gusting wind, which resulted in the glider impacting a runway sign.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 9, 2012 · about 4:30 pm local time · cases in 2012
- Place
- Truckee, California · Truckee-Tahoe Airport · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGS233 A
- Registration
- N2061T · registry record · serial 491
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the takeoff roll, the glider encountered a strong gust of wind from behind the aircraft, which caused it to veer to the left. The pilot was able to release from the tow plane, but was unable to lift the left wing to an adequate height before it collided with a runway distance remaining sign. Although the pilot contended that the sign had been an obstruction from the time the airport crew had moved it from behind the takeoff area to in front of the takeoff area, the distance of the sign from the runway was consistent with parameters outlined in a Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular (AC) on the placement of runway distance remaining signs. At the time of the accident the wind was variable at 10 knots with gusts to 15 knots.
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
- Other weather encounter during takeoff
- Collision during takeoff/land during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Response/compensation
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Sign/marker › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 21,937 hours in all; 5,500 in this make and model; 100 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 7,100 on instruments
- Last flight review: January 26, 2012
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,336 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 18, 2012; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,040 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Soar Truckee Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: TRK Truckee CA at 4:30 pm
- Destination: TRK Truckee CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 19, 4,650 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 23°F (-5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 3:45 pm from TRK
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on November 5, 2013. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Weather Data | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Pilot Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | FAA Engineer's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | FAA Advisory Circular 150/5340-18F Standards for Airport Sign Systems | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N2061T on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Schweizer 1,186 aircraft on the register
- Truckee-Tahoe Airport · nearest airport
- Accidents and incidents in California 9,080 since 1982 · 1,094 in the last ten years
- California 28,286 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/WPR12LA285.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.