Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance from obstacles during the landing approach.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On October 18, 1997, at 1205 hours mountain standard time, a Schwiezer 126-D glider, N7583, collided with a bush on short final approach for landing at the Turf Soaring School dirt airstrip, Peoria, Arizona. The glider sustained substantial damage, and the private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The aircraft was operated by Turf Soaring School and rented by the pilot for use in a spot landing competition under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.
According to the pilot's statement, the area for the spot landing competition was between the runways and was marked by two sets of traffic cones; the competing gliders had to land and stop between the cone sets. The pilot noted that bushes/small scrub trees occupied the area prior to the cones. As the glider passed through 10 feet agl nearing touchdown, the right wing contacted a large bush.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX98LA017