# Accident 20090724012819A: Scwzer SGU222CK, Ephrata, WA, July 24, 2009

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 24, 2009, 06:20 local time
- Place: Ephrata, WA
- Airport: Ephrata Municipal
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 47.3047° N, 119.5167° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3047&lon=-119.5167&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3907A, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3907A) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Schweizer SGU 2-22CK (registry code 8050610, https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgu-2-22ck) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG (registry code 99999, https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCWZER SGU222CK
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 3,274 total, 180 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR09CA368](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA368) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090724012819A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) DURING A PREMATURELY INITIATED VEHICLE TOWED GLIDER LAUNCH WHEREIN THE VEHICLE DRIVER MISUNDERSTOOD SIGNALS, WHILE THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR WAS STILL IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING READY TO LAUNCH, THE AIRCRAFT BECAME AIRBORNE.  DURING THE EXCITEMENT OF THE MOMENT, THE LOW-TIME STUDENT PILOT OVER-CONTROLLED AND THE GLIDER STRUCK THE RUNWAY CAUSING DAMAGE TO AIRCRAFT.  THE STUDENT PILOT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR OBSERVATION AND TREATMENT OF A BACK STRAIN.  THE GLIDER SUFFERED SOME STRUCTURAL DAMAGE WHICH WAS SUBSEQUENTLY REPAIRED BY RAINBOW FLYING SERVICE IN MOSES LAKE, WA.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR09CA368](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA368), Jul 24, 2009: Schweizer SGU 2-22CK (N3907A), Ephrata, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The premature launch signal given by the wing walker.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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