# NTSB CHI91LA219: Schweizer 2-32, N2477W, Plainfield, IL, July 16, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1991, 12:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Plainfield, IL
- Coordinates: 41.610107, -88.199195 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6101&lon=-88.1992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15121
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA219
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15121/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA219

## Probable cause

PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN PROPER ALIGNMENT WITH THE RUNWAY. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE HIGH VEGETATION/CROP IN WHICH THE LANDING WAS MADE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT WHILE MANEUVERING FOR RUNWAY ALIGNMENT WHILE LANDING, THE RIGHT WING TIP CONTACTED TALL CORN ADJACENT THE LANDING STRIP.  THE GLIDER CARTWHEELED, RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL AIRFRAME DAMAGE, AND NO INJURIES TO THE PILOT AND TWO PASSENGERS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2477W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2477W-2022-11-05), registration cancelled 2022-11-05, S/N 51, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 2-32
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 2-32](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-2-32) (registry code 8050206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 51
- Airframe hours: 9986
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Windy City Soaring, Ltd
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 1, 1991, 52 hours before
- Airport: RLA, Day, runway 35, 2,300 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 886 total, 153 in this make and model, 700 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910716027749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910716027749A), Jul 16, 1991: Scwzer SGS232, Plainfield, IL, Substantial damage. Trying to align with runway on final. Wing tip hit tall corn adjacent to runway. Glider then cartwheeled.

## Other investigations on N2477W (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 DEN85LA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA128), May 5, 1985: Schweizer SGS 2-32 (N2477W), Colorado Spring, CO, substantial damage

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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