# NTSB ATL95LA155: Schweizer 233A, N7592, Louisburg, NC, August 12, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1995, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Louisburg, NC
- Coordinates: 36.099773, -78.289192 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0998&lon=-78.2892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3613
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA155
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3613/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA155

## Probable cause

The flight instructor's improper in-flight planning and decision, in that he failed to maintain sufficient altitude to clear the trees surrounding the airport, and failed to take into consideration the high density altitude at the time of the accident.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)
  - weather condition - temperature,high
  - weather condition - high density altitude
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE GLIDER INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT, DURING THE TURN FROM BASE TO FINAL APPROACH, HE ENCOUNTERED A DOWN DRAFT. HE STATED THAT HE COULD NOT ARREST THE AIRCRAFT DESCENT PRIOR TO IMPACTING THE TREES ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY. THE TEMPERATURE WAS 33 DEGREES CELSIUS, AND THE DENSITY ALTITUDE OF THE AIRPORT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS 2,762 FEET.

## Factual narrative

On August 12, 1995, at 1430 eastern daylight time, a Schweizer 233A glider, N7592, was substantially damaged following a collision with trees while turning base for a full stop landing at North Raleigh Airport in Louisburg, North Carolina. The instructional flight was being operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological  conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Neither the flight instructor nor the pre-solo student pilot were injured in the accident. The flight departed Louisburg, North Carolina, at 1400 hours.

According to the flight instructor, as they turned from the downwind leg to base during landing, they experienced a down draft. The flight instructor stated that the sink rate increased at such a rate that he could not arrest the sink rate before the glider collided with the trees. No mechanical problems were reported with the glider.

The temperature was 33 degrees celsius, and the density altitude of the airport at the time of the accident was 2,762 feet.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7592](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7592-1997-01-17), registration cancelled 1997-01-17, S/N 192 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 233A
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-2-33a) (registry code 8051606) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 192
- Airframe hours: 3200
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Carolina Gliding
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 1995, 12 hours before
- Departed: 00NC
- Airport: OONC, North Raleigh Airport, runway 5, 2,650 × 36 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,300 total, 500 in this make and model, 2,600 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDU, 10 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19950812023199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950812023199A), Aug 12, 1995: Scwzer SGS233A, Louisburg, NC, Substantial damage. CFI reported downdraft turning final put him into trees adjacent to runway. Density altitude. 90 degree temperature

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.

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