# NTSB CHI88LA236: Schweizer 2-33A, N3613F, Hinckley, IL, September 4, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1988, 13:40 local (18:40 UTC)
- Place: Hinckley, IL
- Coordinates: 41.760124, -88.640296 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7601&lon=-88.6403&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 December 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14163
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA236
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14163/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA236

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - glider launch/tow equipment - failure,total (cause)
  - emergency procedure - performed
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)
  - touchdown - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING THE INITIAL CLIMBOUT ON THE DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, AS THE GLIDER WAS TOWED THROUGH APPROXIMATELY 50-100' AGL, THE TOW ROPE FAILED. THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT EXECUTED A HARD FORCED LANDING AT THE EDGE OF A CORNFIELD LOCATED TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. BOTH PILOTS REPORTED THAT THE TOUCHDOWN WAS ABRUPT, WITH 'HIGHER THAN NORMAL VERTICAL VELOCITY'.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3613F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3613F), registered now, S/N 556, built 1980 (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: 556
- Airframe hours: 1601
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Hinckley Soaring, Inc.
- Registered owner: Hinckley Soaring Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1988, 58 hours before
- Departed: 0C2, HINCKLEY, IL
- Airport: OC2, Hinckley, runway 27, 2,640 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 5,931 total, 800 in this make and model, 4,480 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 12 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F

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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