Schweizer SGS233 N2061T

Summary

On 9 June 2012 at about 16:30 local time, a Schweizer SGS233 registered N2061T, operated by Soar Truckee Inc., was involved in an accident near Truckee, California, United States. 2 people were 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

9 June 2012 at 16:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Truckee, California, United States

Nearest airport

Truckee-Tahoe Airport (TRK)

Coordinates

39.3200, -120.1378

Aircraft

Schweizer SGS233

Registration

N2061T

Category

Glider

Operator

Soar Truckee Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Truckee → Truckee

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR12LA285

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the glider while taking off with a gusting wind, which resulted in the glider impacting a runway sign.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During the takeoff roll, the glider encountered a strong gust of wind from behind the aircraft, which caused it to veer to the left. The pilot was able to release from the tow plane, but was unable to lift the left wing to an adequate height before it collided with a runway distance remaining sign. Although the pilot contended that the sign had been an obstruction from the time the airport crew had moved it from behind the takeoff area to in front of the takeoff area, the distance of the sign from the runway was consistent with parameters outlined in a Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular (AC) on the placement of runway distance remaining signs. At the time of the accident the wind was variable at 10 knots with gusts to 15 knots.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.