Probable cause
The glider’s encounter with insufficient atmospheric lift to maintain soaring flight, which resulted in an off-airport landing.
NTSB analysis
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.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR12CA278 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 27, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Bishop, California
- Nearest airport
- Bishop (KBIH)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Schweizer SGS 1-36
- N-number
- N3617U
- Category
- Glider
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.