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Casualties unknown

Glider Stalls and Spins After Pilot Continues Downwind Despite Low Altitude (N1176S)

Warner Springs, CA, US

On October 17, 1992, a Schweizer SGS 2-33A (registration N1176S) operated by Bret Willat was involved in an aviation accident near Warner Springs, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PLANNED APPROACH TO THE RUNWAY, AND, HIS IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT ACCELERATED STALL/SPIN. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A glider pilot encountered a higher than normal sink rate on downwind, resulting in a low position abeam the runway. Rather than turning base early, the pilot continued to the customary turn point, then attempted a tight turn to final, cross-controlled the aircraft, leading to a stall and spin.

Incident Overview

A glider pilot reported that during the approach, he experienced a higher than normal sink rate while on the downwind leg. This caused the glider to end up lower than normal when abeam the end of the runway.

Pilot Actions

Instead of turning base early to compensate for the low altitude, the pilot elected to continue on downwind and turn base at the customary location. Realizing the problem on base leg, he attempted to tighten the turn to final in order to make the runway.

Loss of Control

While tightening the turn, the pilot cross-controlled the aircraft. The glider then stalled and subsequently spun to the ground.

Conclusions

The accident sequence involved the pilot's decision to maintain the normal downwind pattern despite the low altitude, followed by a cross-controlled turn that led to an aerodynamic stall and spin.

Loss of control in flightAerodynamic stall

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 17 Oct 1992 Schweizer SGS 2-33A accident near Warner Springs, CA?

A glider pilot encountered a higher than normal sink rate on downwind, resulting in a low position abeam the runway. Rather than turning base early, the pilot continued to the customary turn point, then attempted a tight turn to final, cross-controlled the aircraft, leading to a stall and spin.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 17 Oct 1992 involved a Schweizer SGS 2-33A, registration N1176S, operated by Bret Willat, at Warner Springs, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PLANNED APPROACH TO THE RUNWAY, AND, HIS IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT ACCELERATED STALL/SPIN.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X15902. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.