# NTSB CHI07CA232: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N33950, Warrensburg, MO, July 26, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 26, 2007, 13:50 local (18:50 UTC) - Place: Warrensburg, MO - Coordinates: 38.784168, -93.80278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7842&lon=-93.8028&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 30, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Kansas City FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 66366 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA232 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66366/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA232 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and aircraft control, which resulted in a stall while on final approach. A factor in the accident were the two fences. ## 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 - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - stall - encountered, pilot in command(cfi) - In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - object - fence (contributing factor) - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The glider impacted terrain during an approach to land. The certified flight instructor (CFI) stated that the glider was towed to 2,000 feet above ground level (AGL) before releasing from the tow plane, after which soaring maneuvers and turns were performed. The glider then entered the traffic pattern at 1,000 feet AGL. When the glider turned to the base leg, the CFI noticed that it was "above glide path" and he performed 360 degree turns to lose altitude and "give time for second glider to launch." The CFI stated that while on final approach the glider rolled "abruptly" to the right at approximately 80 degrees of bank and began to descend. The CFI recovered just above the ground and then noticed that the glider was heading toward a fence line. The glider was able to climb over the fence and began a turn toward the airport. The pilot reported that the glider "stalled" and impacted terrain as he attempted to maneuver the glider over a second fence line. ## Factual narrative The glider was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during an approach to land. The certified flight instructor (CFI) stated that the glider was towed to 2,000 feet above ground level (AGL) before releasing from the tow plane, after which soaring maneuvers and turns were performed. The glider then entered the traffic pattern at 1,000 feet AGL. When the glider turned to the base leg, the CFI noticed that it was "above glide path" and he performed 360 degree turns to lose altitude and "give time for second glider to launch." The CFI stated that while on final approach the glider rolled "abruptly" to the right at approximately 80 degrees of bank and began to descend. The CFI recovered just above the ground and then noticed that the glider was heading toward a fence line. The glider was able to climb over the fence and began a turn toward the airport. The pilot reported that the glider "stalled" and impacted terrain as he attempted to maneuver the glider over a second fence line. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N33950](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N33950-2008-01-10), registration cancelled 2008-01-10, S/N 380, built 1975 (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: 380 - Airframe hours: 2900 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: University of Central Missouri - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2007 - Departed: RCM, Warrensburg, MO - Destination: RCM - Airport: RCM, Skyhaven Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 24; injuries: serious; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: rear; flight hours: 566 total, 32 in this make and model, 488 as pilot in command, 83 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: RCM, 1 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 20070726013689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070726013689A), Jul 26, 2007: Scwzer SGS233A, Warrensburg, MO, Substantial damage. (-23) The flight instructor was conducting an introductory flight in the glider at the Skyhaven Airport (rcm), Warrensburg, MO. The instructor, who was… ## Other investigations on N33950 (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 CHI04CA200](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04CA200), Jul 29, 2004: Schweizer SGS 2-33 (N33950), Warrensburg, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compaensation for the winds, and his inability to maintain directional control of the glider after encountering tall grass during the landing roll. The reported wind gust, tall… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.