Schweizer SGS-1-35 N34187

Summary

On 28 April 1998 at about 20:15 local time, a Schweizer SGS-1-35 registered N34187 was involved in an accident near Maricopa, Arizona, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

28 April 1998 at 20:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Maricopa, Arizona, United States

Nearest airport

Maricopa (E68)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Schweizer SGS-1-35

Registration

N34187

Category

Glider

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX98LA147

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's loss of control in flight for undetermined reasons.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot towing the glider reported that after takeoff, the glider veered to the right. The tow plane yawed hard to the left and the towrope snapped while at an altitude of approximately 700 feet agl. Witnesses reported that as the glider pilot attempted to return to the airport to land, it impacted a ditch that ran between the two runways. Rescue workers reported that the pilot was incoherent and they suspected that he had suffered a stroke. One witness reported that the pilot had medical problems that prohibited him from flying more than 2 hours at a time. The pilot did not possess a medical certificate, nor is he required to. The pilot spent approximately 1 month in the hospital and has no memory of the accident. His wife was unable to find any aircraft or pilot logbooks. The pilot's family sold the glider and no further examination was possible.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.