Schweizer SGS 1-36 N3617U

Summary

On 27 June 2012 at about 22:50 local time, a Schweizer SGS 1-36 registered N3617U, operated by Sierra Fliers, was involved in an accident near Bishop, California, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 June 2012 at 22:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Bishop, California, United States

Nearest airport

Bishop (KBIH)

Coordinates

37.4081, -118.3406

Aircraft

Schweizer SGS 1-36

Registration

N3617U

Category

Glider

Operator

Sierra Fliers

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Bishop → Bishop

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR12CA278

Nobody was injured.

The glider’s encounter with insufficient atmospheric lift to maintain soaring flight, which resulted in an off-airport landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, after 1.5 hours of soaring, he was en route to the airport when he encountered significant sink (loss of lift) and was forced to land in a pasture about 2 miles from the approach end of the runway. The glider sustained damage to its right wing tip and empennage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.