# NTSB CEN24LA133: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N2905H, Falcon, CO, March 12, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: March 12, 2024, 09:40 local (15:40 UTC)
- Place: Falcon, CO
- Coordinates: 38.94277, -104.5699
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9428&lon=-104.5699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 193927
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA133
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193927/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193927
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA133

## Probable cause

The flight instructor’s failure to maintain control during takeoff which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and an impact with terrain.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Glider tow event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/510); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/510/sequence.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/510/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The flight instructor stated that during the ground launch he rotated the glider and then accelerated in ground effect before he pulled aft stick to accelerate on the launch arc. He then applied right stick correction for runway alignment after which a gust of wind lifted the right wing. The flight instructor was unable to counter the left roll with flight control inputs and the glider stalled. The tow rope, once side loaded, automatically disconnected as designed. The left wing impacted the ground which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing and empennage. The flight instructor stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal glider operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2905H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2905H), registered now, S/N 545, built 1979 (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)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 545
- Year built: 1979
- Airframe hours: 8200.2
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: High Flights Soaring Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 21, 2023
- Departed: KFLY, Falcon, CO
- Airport: FLY, Meadow Lake, runway 16, 5,001 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; injuries: minor; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 19, 2023; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 4,269 total, 127 in this make and model, 3,499 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours
- Student pilot; age 14; injuries: minor; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3 total, 3 in this make and model, 0 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.99 inHg
- Observed at: KFLY
- METAR: KFLY 121515Z AUTO 28006KT 10 SM CLR 08/M07 A2999 RMK AO2 T00761067=

## 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 20240312003019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240312003019A), Mar 12, 2024: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, Falcon, CO, Substantial damage. • Second smaller windsock on the airfield specifically for the glider operations was showing a 90° crosswind of 7-8 knots • Tow cable for vehicle launch…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 19, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193927. 3.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16931200&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN24LA133%20-%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 5 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16931210&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN24LA133%20-%20Photo%20Summary-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for record - FAA (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 89 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16932806&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN24LA133%20-%20ROC%20Gassman,%20Edward,%20FAA-Rel.pdf

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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