# NTSB BFO85LA046: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N2885H, Warrenton, VA, May 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1985, 16:17 local (20:17 UTC)
- Place: Warrenton, VA
- Location: 38.7154° N, 77.7976° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Warrenton, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7154&lon=-77.7976&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11179
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO85LA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11179/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85LA046

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose down, landing

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS OBTAINING TRANSITION TNG FM PWRD ACFT TO GLIDERS AND HAD FLOWN 3 DUAL FLTS N N2885H ON THE MORNING OF THE ACCIDENT WITH AN INSTRUCTION ON BOARD. THE CFI THEN AUTHORIZED HIM TO FLY HIS LIST SOLO FLT AND ACFT TKOF OBSVD THE GLIDER MAKE WHAT HE CONSIDERED A NORMAL BASE LEG FOLLOWED BY A FLAT SKIDDING TURN TO FINAL AND SUBSEQUENT OVERSHOOTING OF THE EXTENDED CENTERLINE OF THE APPROACH END OF RWY 15. THE PLT THEN EXECUTED STEEP S-TURNS BACK TOWARDS THE RWY DURING WHICH THE LEFT WING STRUCK A TREE FOLLOWED BY THE RIGHT WING AND THE ACFT CARTWHEELING TO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2885H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2885H-1992-03-25), registration cancelled 1992-03-25, S/N 535 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 2-33A
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-2-33a) (registry code 8051606) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Warrenton Soaring Center
- Departed: 9W0, VA
- Destination: 9W0, WARRENTON, VA
- Airport: 9WO, Warrenton Air Park, runway 15, 1,922 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 346 total, 4 in this make and model, 204 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAD, 23 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 19850519023199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850519023199A), May 19, 1985: Scwzer SGS233A, Warrenton, VA, Substantial damage. Transition power to glider. First solo. Overturned final. Struck trees realigning. Glider cartwheeled.

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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