Schweizer SGS 2-33A accident near Hood River, Oregon, July 20, 2013
On July 20, 2013 at about 10:30 pm local time, a Schweizer SGS 2-33A (glider), registered N2052T, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern base) near Hood River, Oregon (Hood River airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The glider encountered atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, which resulted in an off airport landing on rough terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 20, 2013 · about 10:30 pm local time
- Place
- Hood River, Oregon · Hood River · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGS 2-33A · all SGS 2-33As on the register
- Registration
- N2052T · registry record · serial 497
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that the glider was 2 miles from the airport on an extended base leg, when it encountered a loss of lift. He could not make it to the runway, so he landed off airport in a field, which was too short for a normal rollout. The pilot intentionally ground-looped the glider to avoid a fence, but the terrain was rough, and the fuselage and right wing were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.
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 approach (VFR pattern base) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during approach (VFR pattern base)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Downdraft › Ability to respond/compensate
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Rough terrain › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: glider; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 3,200 hours in all; 1,200 in this make and model; 183 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 3,100 as pilot in command; 200 on instruments
- Last flight review: September 25, 2011
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,254 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 20, 2013
- Maximum gross weight: 1,380 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: 4S2 Hood River OR at 9:59 pm
- Destination: 4S2 Hood River OR
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 25, 3,000 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 16 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 10:45 pm from KCZK
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.
Other NTSB records under N2052T 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.