# NTSB BFO85LA053: Schweizer 2-33A, N65818, Warrenton, VA, July 7, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1985, 13:27 local (17:27 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: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11181
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO85LA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11181/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85LA053

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb
  - glider launch/tow equipment - disconnected
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

AFTER LIFTOFF BOTH THE PIC AND THE PLT GETTING CHECKED OUT IN THE SCHWEIZER SGS 2-33A STATED THAT THEY ENCOUNTERED MODERATE TURBULENCE IN THE AREA. WHEN THE SAILPLANE RECHED APPROXIMATELY 200 FT AGL THE TOM ROPE SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT AND N65818 WAS FORCED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING DURING WHICH THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AND THE PIC SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE TOW HOOK RELEASE SPRING TENSION WAS SET WITHIN MANUFACTURERS LIMITS AND ALL OTHER AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS APPEARED TO WORK PROPERLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N65818](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N65818), registered now, S/N 303, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 2-33A
- 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: 303
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: National Capital Soaring Assoc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 26, 1985
- Airport: 9WO, Warrenton Airpark, runway 22, 2,215 × 85 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial, private, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 630 total, 365 in this make and model, 545 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 12 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 55 °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 19850707034609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850707034609A), Jul 7, 1985: Scwzer SGS233A, Warrenton, VA, Substantial damage. Turbulence on tow. At 200 ft AGL rope separated from tow plane. Glider crash landed. No defects in tow release.

## Other investigations on N65818 (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 CEN25LA311](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA311), Aug 6, 2025: Schweizer SGS 2-33A (N65818), Monee, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed and altitude resulting in a collision with the ground during the base to final turn.

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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