# NTSB CHI86LA186: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N65901, Mattoon, IL, July 28, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1986, 11:35 local (16:35 UTC)
- Place: Mattoon, IL
- Coordinates: 39.470634, -88.36013 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4706&lon=-88.3601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13497
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86LA186
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13497/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86LA186

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - spoiler extension - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - speed brakes - inadvertent use, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not attained
  - proper climb rate - not possible
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE GLIDER WAS BEING TOWED FOR TAKEOFF BEHIND A TOW PLANE. ACCORDING TO THE GLIDER INSTRUCTOR, THE INITIAL ACCELERATION APPEARED NORMAL. AS THE TOW PLANE AND THE GLIDER NEARED THE END OF THE RUNWAY, THE GLIDER INSTRUCTOR BELIEVED THE TOW PLANE WAS EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM ACCELERATING TO TAKEOFF SPEED, SO HE RELEASED THE TOW LINE AT AN ALTITUDE OF APRX 5 FT. HE THEN TURNED FOR AN AREA FOR LANDING AND THE GLIDER TOUCHED DOWN IN A 'NOSE DOWN PANCAKE LANDING.'  LATER, THE INSTRUCTOR LEARNED THAT THE SPEED BRAKES AND SPOILERS WERE FULLY DEPLOYED DURING THE ENTIRE TAKEOFF RUN & SUBSEQUENT SHORT FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N65901](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65901-1991-12-18), registration cancelled 1991-12-18, S/N 361 (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
- Serial number: 361
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Illinois Wing Civil Air Patrol
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: MTO, Coles County Memorial, runway 17, 1,450 × 250 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, unknown; seat: rear; flight hours: 600 total, 93 in this make and model, 504 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DEC, 30 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 19860728036519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860728036519A), Jul 28, 1986: Scwzer SGS233A, Mattoon Charles, IL, Substantial damage. Glider made a hard forced landing after premature disconnect from tow. Pilot unaware speed brake was deployed.

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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