# Accident 20130504007869A: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, Erwinna, PA, May 4, 2013

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 4, 2013, 13:30 local time
- Place: Erwinna, PA
- Airport: Van Sant
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 40.4839° N, 75.0997° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4839&lon=-75.0997&mi=10
- Aircraft: N2045T, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2045T-2023-09-16) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Schweizer SGS 2-33A (registry code 8051606, https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-2-33a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: NONE (registry code 00000, https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 2-33A
- Reported engine: NONE NONE
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA13LA229](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA229) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130504007869A

## Narrative

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

PILOT DEPARTED VAN SANT AIRPORT (9N1) IN A GLIDER N2045T OWNED BY THE CIVIL AIR PATROL. THE GLIDER HAD JUST BEEN ANNUALED AND THIS WAS THE FIRST FLIGHT.

PILOT PERFORMED A PRE FLIGHT AND FOUND NO ISSUES WITH THE GLIDER. THE PILOT DEPARTED RUNWAY 7 AT VAN SANT AIRPORT BEHIND THE TOW PLANE.

UPON LIFT OFF THE PILOT OF THE TOW PLANE NOTICED THAT THE GLIDER WAS FLYING IN A ERRATIC MANNER.

THE PILOT OF THE GLIDER RELEASED FROM THE TOW PLANE AND STARTED A TURN TOWARD THE AIRPORT. THE PILOT WHEN HE RELEASED FROM THE TOW PLANE WAS ABOUT 250 FT ABOVE THE GROUND. THE PILOT WHEN TURNING A BASE LEG TOWARD THE AIRPORT HIT A TREE AND LOST CONTROL OF THE GLIDER AND IMPACTED THE GROUND.

UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR POSSIBLE FAR VIOLATION.

## 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 ERA13LA229](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA229), May 4, 2013: Schweizer SGS 2-33A (N2045T), Erwinna, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of glider control due to improper rigging of the rudder control cables, the mechanic’s inadequate flight control checks following the glider’s most recent annual inspection, and the…

## Other reports on N2045T (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19820417035919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820417035919A), Apr 17, 1982: Scwzer SGS233A (N2045T), Colorado Spring, CO, Substantial damage. Glider crashed into trees short of runway, pilot misjudged effect of wind.

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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