Truckee/Tahoe Airport, Truckee, CA

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Accident occurred Wednesday, July 23, 2008 in Truckee, CA
Aircraft: Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau DG-100G, registration: N132S
Injuries: 1 Uninjured. This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. On July 23, 2008, about 1400 Pacific daylight time, a Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau DG-100G, N132S, experienced an uncommmanded release while being towed, and landed off the runway at Truckee-Tahoe Airport (KTRK), Truckee, California. The pilot/owner was operating the glider under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the glider sustained substantial damage. The flight departed KTRK at the time of the accident, for an unknown destination. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that the event occurred during takeoff from KTRK. The glider's release mechanism activated without his command, detaching the glider from the tow rope. The glider landed past the end of the runway, impacted terrain, and sustained structural damage to the tail boom. ===
Accident occurred Monday, May 19, 2008 in Truckee, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 6/30/2008
Aircraft: Scottish Aviation Bulldog 120, registration: N416JA
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
The airplane's owner accompanied the pilot, who had received his private pilot certificate about 2 months before the accident, on a personal flight involving takeoffs and landings. The pilot reported that his approach for the final landing appeared normal. Just before landing he felt a possible wind lull or wind direction shift near the runway's surface, and the airplane touched down harder than average. The airplane's owner reported that the airplane touched down hard in a nose low and right wing low attitude. Immediately thereafter, the right main landing gear separated from the airplane. A subsequent airframe examination by the Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector revealed the nose gear and right main landing gear were damaged in the accident to the extent that the nose gear attachment bracket was broken at the upper firewall attachment, and the right main landing gear attachment was torn from the wing spar web, fracturing the wing spar. The weather observation for the airport was showing winds from 220 degrees at 12 knots, with gusts to 17 knots, at the time of the accident. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusting crosswind and misjudged landing flare. ===
Accident occurred Friday, February 29, 2008 in Truckee, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 4/30/2008
Aircraft: Cessna 170B, registration: N2571D
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
Prior to takeoff, the pilot had conducted left and right clearing circles, and was aware that the right brake was "spongy." He decided to continue with the flight and took off on a local area flight that lasted for an hour. Upon returning to the airport, he noted that there was a southerly crosswind about 10-13 knots. The pilot performed a normal wheel-landing and the airplane began to weathervane to the left of the runway on the rollout. The pilot activated the right rudder and brake pedal to correct back to centerline, but the airplane continued to the left of the runway. As the airplane continued off the runway's edge into snow, the left main tire caught in the snow, pivoted the airplane, and the airplane came to rest on its nose. The airplane's braking system was inspected by an FAA inspector who noted that the right brake was "spongy," and that with very little applied force to the pedal it would "bottom out." The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: The pilot's continued operation with a known mechanical problem and failure to maintain directional control. ==
Accident occurred Sunday, December 23, 2007 in Truckee, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 2/28/2008
Aircraft: Piper PA-18-150, registration: N9086Y
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
The pilot said that his engine started running rough while flying over mountainous terrain. There was a large snow covered meadow beneath him, so he circled it while trying to resolve his engine problem. His attempts to regain full power were unsuccessful. The airplane was equipped with large tundra tires, and the pilot believed that a precautionary landing under partial power was more prudent than proceeding to the nearest airport while crossing mountain ridges and over flying the surrounding forest. During a wheel landing in the snow, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The forward section of the airframe, both wings spars, and the vertical stabilizer were bent. The reason for the partial power loss was undetermined. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: The loss of partial engine power during cruise for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the snow covered terrain. ===
Accident occurred Saturday, July 07, 2007 in Truckee, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 8/30/2007
Aircraft: Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G102 Astir CS, registration: N132SS
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
The glider sustained damage during a hard landing. A wind gust was encountered during the glider pilot's landing flare and the glider rapidly descended from 2 to 3 feet above the runway until touching down hard, collapsing the main landing gear and breaking structural bulkheads in the fuselage. The pilot's approach to the runway had been uneventful and appeared normal until the landing flare, according to a certified flight instructor who witnessed the accident. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: The pilot's inadequate compensation for a wind gust during landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. ===
Accident occurred Monday, August 28, 2006 in Truckee, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 12/28/2006
Aircraft: Glaser Dirks DG 300, registration: N302N
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
The pilot became hypoxic during the flight and attempted to land at an airport. During the landing attempt, he overshot the runway and landed in a nearby field. According to the pilot, he was aloft in the glider for 4 hours at altitudes in excess of 10,000 feet mean sea level. During the flight he began to experience symptoms of hypoxia. He attempted to land at Truckee but overshot the runway and landed in a field beyond the runway. The pilot suspected that the cannula-type oxygen system in the glider may have not been supplying adequate oxygen because he was breathing through his mouth. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: the pilot's misjudged landing approach that led to a runway overshoot. A contributing factor was the pilot's hypoxic condition. ===
Accident occurred Friday, July 21, 2006 in Truckee, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 11/29/2006
Aircraft: Cessna T210N, registration: N6686N
Injuries: 6 Uninjured.
The airplane landed hard and the nose landing gear collapsed and separated. According to the pilot, he was landing the airplane in weather conditions he described as light rain, no wind, with thunderstorms in the distance. While on short final the airplane encountered wind shear resulting in a loss of airspeed and an increased rate of descent. The pilot applied power, but the airplane impacted the runway and porpoised 3 to 4 times before the landing gear collapsed. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: the pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing wind conditions and failure to maintain an adequate airspeed. ===
Accident occurred Wednesday, December 28, 2005 in Truckee, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 7/25/2007
Aircraft: Learjet 35A, registration: N781RS
Injuries: 2 Fatal.
The airplane collided with the ground during a low altitude, steep banked, base-to-final left turn toward the landing runway during a circling instrument approach. The airplane impacted terrain 1/3-mile from the approach end of runway 28, and north of its extended centerline. A witness, located in the airport's administration building, made the following statement regarding his observations: "I saw the aircraft in and out of the clouds in a close base for [runway] 28. I then saw the aircraft emerge from a cloud in a base to final turn [and] it appeared to be approximately 300-400 feet above the ground. The left wing was down nearly 90 degrees. The aircraft appeared north of the [runway 28] centerline. The aircraft pitched nose down approximately 30-40 degrees and appeared to do a 1/2 cartwheel on the ground before exploding." ATC controllers had cleared the airplane to perform a GPS-A (circling) approach. The published weather minimums for category C and D airplanes at the 5,900-foot mean sea level airport was 3 miles visibility, and the minimum descent altitude was 8,200 feet mean sea level (msl). Airport weather observers noted that when the accident occurred, the visibility was between 1 1/2 and 5 miles. Scattered clouds existed at 1,200 feet above ground level (7,100 feet msl), a broken ceiling existed at 1,500 feet agl (7,400 feet msl) and an overcast condition existed at 2,400 feet agl (8,300 feet msl). During the approach, the first officer acknowledged to the controller that he had received the airport's weather. The airplane overflew the airport in a southerly direction, turned east, and entered a left downwind pattern toward runway 28. A 20- to 30-knot gusty surface wind existed from 220 degrees, and the pilot inadequately compensated for the wind during his base leg-to-final approach turning maneuver. The airplane was equipped with Digital Electronic Engine Controls (DEEC) that recorded specific data bits relating to, for example, engine speed, power lever position and time. During the last 4 seconds of recorded data (flight), both of the power levers were positioned from a mid range point to apply takeoff power, and the engines responded accordingly. No evidence was found of any preimpact mechanical malfunction. The operator's flight training program emphasized that during approaches consideration of wind drift is essential, and a circling approach should not be attempted in marginal conditions. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind condition and failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering in a steep turn close to the ground. ===
Accident occurred Saturday, June 04, 2005 in Truckee, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 8/29/2006
Aircraft: Maule 7-235, registration: N90KD
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
During the landing rollout on runway 28, the airplane veered to the left and ground looped. As the airplane slowed down to taxi speed, it veered to the left. The pilot applied full right rudder, but the airplane continued to track toward the runway's edge. The pilot then applied the brake, and the right main landing gear folded. The airplane's right wing tip and propeller were damaged as a result of impacting the surface. An aviation routine weather report (METAR) issued for the airport 2 hours 15 minutes before the accident reported that the winds were from 190 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 18 knots. The pilot said he believed the winds were from 220 degrees at 10 to 12 knots. The pilot stated that he encountered a gust of wind during the landing rollout, which blew him to the side. A Federal Aviation Administration certificated airframe and power plant maintenance technician examined the airplane after the accident and found no discrepancies. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout. ===
Accident occurred Thursday, July 29, 2004 in Truckee, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 12/28/2004
Aircraft: Cessna 206, registration: N8622Z
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
The airplane veered off the runway and collided with terrain and high vegetation after the pilot experienced a loss of directional control on the landing roll. Upon touchdown, with the nose gear still off the runway, the airplane encountered a sudden crosswind gust and veered to the left. The pilot applied right rudder pressure in an effort to counteract the veer, but the airplane continued to the left off the runway surface, encountering rough terrain and impacting sagebrush. The airplane came to rest about 150 feet left of the runway edge and 2,500 feet beyond the end of the runway. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. ===
Accident occurred Friday, July 04, 2003 in TRUCKEE, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 10/27/2005
Aircraft: Globe GC-1B, registration: N78053
Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious.
During the takeoff initial climb while in a high nose pitch attitude, the airplane banked to the right and impacted the runway. Several witnesses at the airport, who are pilots, observed the accident sequence. As the airplane lifted off the runway surface, the airplane's nose was in an unusually high pitch attitude. Several feet above the surface, the airplane's landing gear folded into the retracted position as the angle of attack continued to increase. The airplane stalled, and the right wing and nose impacted the ground simultaneously. Examination of the engine and airframe revealed no evidence of pre-mishap catastrophic mechanical malfunction or failure of any system. The airplane has a maximum gear retraction operating speed of 80 mph and does not have a stall warning horn or light. The landing gear system is operated by a hydraulic pump driven by an electrical motor. The mechanic who worked on this airplane said the gear pump motor was the original factory installed one, which was underpowered and resulted in slow gear retraction times. The pilot had recently installed a more powerful engine, which would require a steeper climb attitude to maintain a speed at or below the maximum gear operating speed while the landing gear completes the retraction cycle. The density altitude was calculated to be about 7,700 feet. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: an in-flight loss of control due to the pilot's rotation to an excessive pitch up attitude after takeoff and his failure to maintain an adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall. Factors in the accident were the high density altitude and the lack of stall warning devices on the airplane. ===
Accident occurred Friday, January 17, 2003 in TRUCKEE, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 12/28/2004
Aircraft: Beech 76, registration: N5400M
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
The airplane veered off the runway and struck a snow bank off the left side of the pavement. The CFI briefed on an engine out procedure prior to takeoff and told the student he was going to fail the left engine. However, the pilot under instruction (PUI) did not fully understand the procedure. He believed that the engine failure would happen when they were in the air and not on the ground. During the takeoff roll, the CFI simulated the engine out by pulling the left mixture. However, the PUI did not pull the throttles to idle as briefed. He was surprised when the airplane started to veer to the left during the takeoff roll. He fixated on the rudder controls, and did not reduce engine power on the right engine. Both pilots stated that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: failure of the CFI to ensure that the pilot under instruction adequately understood the engine out procedure during the preflight planning phase of the flight; failure of the pilot under instruction to obtain/maintain directional control; and the inadequate supervision and delayed remedial action of the CFI during the engine out procedure. The pilot under instruction's misunderstanding of the engine out procedure was a factor in the accident. ===
Accident occurred Thursday, May 03, 2001 in TRUCKEE, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 1/23/2002
Aircraft: Cessna T210N, registration: N6425N
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
After a hard landing, the airplane veered off the runway and collided with airport property. The pilot executed a go-around then landed without further incident. Witnesses saw the airplane make a hard landing, veer off the runway into the dirt, hit a light and taxiway sign, then takeoff again with items embedded in the horizontal stabilizer. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: The pilot's failure to maintain the proper descent and his failure to maintain directioinal control during landing.


Truckee/Tahoe Airport Approach / Landing: