# NTSB ATL96LA089: Schweizer SGS233A, N1197S, Franklinton, NC, May 30, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 30, 1996, 14:20 local (18:20 UTC)
- Place: Franklinton, NC
- Coordinates: 36.099582, -78.290657 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0996&lon=-78.2907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 25, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3731
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96LA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3731/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA089

## Probable cause

the failure of the instructor pilot to maintain control of the aircraft.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - crosswind
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The instructor pilot stated that the student pilot was operating the aircraft controls during the landing approach. The glider started to drift right of the runway centerline.  As the glider drifted farther, the instructor took over the controls.  He reported having full deflection of the flight controls to counteract the drift, but the glider continued to drift.  The right wing tip of the glider then hit trees, and the glider spun until it came to rest in the trees approximately ten feet off the ground. The instructor pilot reported that the trees are about 25 feet from the edge of the runway.

## Factual narrative

On May 30, 1996, about 1420 eastern daylight time, a Schweizer SGS233A glider, N1197S, was substantially damaged following a collision with trees during a landing approach at the North Raleigh airport, Franklinton, North Carolina.  Neither the instructor pilot nor the student pilot were injured in the accident. The glider was being operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the instructional flight. The flight originated at the Franklinton airport approximately 1400 eastern daylight time.

The instructor pilot stated the student pilot was operating the aircraft controls during the landing approach.  The glider started to drift right of the runway centerline.  As the glider drifted farther, the instructor took over the flight controls.  He reported having full deflection of the flight controls to counteract the drift, but the glider continued to drift.  The right wing tip of the glider then hit trees, and the glider spun until it came to rest in the trees approximately ten feet off the ground.  The instructor pilot reports that the trees are about 25 feet from the edge of the runway.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1197S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1197S-2015-05-18), registration cancelled 2015-05-18, S/N 197, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schweizer SGS233A
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-2-33a) (registry code 8051606) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 0197
- Airframe hours: 2050
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: John Wiliam Styer
- Registered owner: Carolina Gliding
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1995, 50 hours before
- Departed: 00NC, NORTH RALEIGH, NC
- Airport: 00NC, North Raleigh, runway 5, 2,600 × 36 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,200 total, 800 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 12 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDU, 25 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 19960530012039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960530012039A), May 30, 1996: Scwzer SGS233A, Louisburg, NC, Substantial damage. On short final aircraft drifted into trees. (.4)the instructor pilot stated that the student pilot was operating the aircraft controls during the landing…

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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