No fatalities

Glider Collides with Hangar Doors After Landing Braking Ineffective

Heber City, UT, United States

On July 29, 2009, a SCHWEIZER SGS 2-32 operated by Soar Utah was involved in an aviation accident near Heber City, UT. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's excessive speed as he turned off the runway. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

A glider pilot applied brakes after landing but found deceleration insufficient on the taxiway, resulting in collisions with two hangar doors and substantial damage.

Accident Overview

A glider pilot made a normal approach and landing, applying wheel brakes and noting normal deceleration. After exiting the runway onto the taxiway, further braking was applied. The pilot observed that the glider was not decelerating as rapidly as expected.

Pilot Actions

The pilot reported: "…I applied full braking, including pumping the brake. I continued to use max braking, including digging the nose skid in as hard as I could and attempted to dampen the inevitable blow as best as possible."

Impact and Damage

The glider subsequently impacted the door of one hangar with its nose bowl and a second hangar with its left wing. This resulted in substantial damage to the glider. No further details about injuries or other damage were provided in the source.

Investigation Notes

The source does not state a probable cause for the accident. No analysis or conclusions are included beyond the factual description of events.

Contributing factors

PilotSurface speed/braking — Not attained/maintained

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 29 Jul 2009 SCHWEIZER SGS 2-32 accident near Heber City, UT?

A glider pilot applied brakes after landing but found deceleration insufficient on the taxiway, resulting in collisions with two hangar doors and substantial damage.

Were there any fatalities in the 29 Jul 2009 SCHWEIZER SGS 2-32 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 29 Jul 2009 involved a SCHWEIZER SGS 2-32, operated by Soar Utah, at Heber City, UT.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's excessive speed as he turned off the runway.