Probable cause
The glider encountered atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, which resulted in an off airport landing on rough terrain.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated that the glider was 2 miles from the airport on an extended base leg, when it encountered a loss of lift. He could not make it to the runway, so he landed off airport in a field, which was too short for a normal rollout. The pilot intentionally ground-looped the glider to avoid a fence, but the terrain was rough, and the fuselage and right wing were substantially damaged. 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 WPR13CA333 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 20, 2013
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Hood River, Oregon
- Nearest airport
- Hood River (4S2)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Schweizer SGS 2-33A
- N-number
- N2052T
- 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.