N65844

Substantial
None

Schweizer SGS2-33AS/N: 335

Accident Details

Date
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
NTSB Number
LAX07CA172
Location
Los Alamitos, CA
Event ID
20070730X01048
Coordinates
33.794445, -118.052497
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

failure of the towrope during the initial climb out.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N65844
Make
SCHWEIZER
Serial Number
335
Year Built
1974
Model / ICAO
SGS2-33A

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
CIVIL AIR PATROL INC
Address
105 S HANSELL ST
Status
Deregistered
City
MAXWELL AFB
State / Zip Code
AL 36112
Country
United States

Analysis

On May 22, 2007, at 1555 Pacific daylight time, a Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N65844, veered off the runway following a forced landing and struck a truck at the Los Alamitos (SLI) airport, Los Alamitos, California. The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) operated the glider under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The glider sustained substantial damage to the nose area. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was originating at the time.

According to the pilot, at 300 feet above the ground, the towrope broke. He made turns to land on the dirt runway, but was not able to align the glider with the runway.

According to the CAP representative, a normal winch launch had been initiated. The tow rope broke at a low altitude, and the pilot made a short approach and landing. The glider landed at an angle and skidded off the runway where it struck a truck parked about 75 feet off the runway edge.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX07CA172