# NTSB CHI92LA197: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N2524H, Manchester, MI, July 5, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 5, 1992, 15:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Manchester, MI
- Coordinates: 42.140182, -84.03009 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1402&lon=-84.0301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15486
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA197
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15486/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA197

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISIONS, FAILURE TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING WHEN HE REALIZED HE WAS TOO LOW TO REACH THE AIRPORT, AND ATTEMPTING TO STRETCH HIS GLIDEPATH TO REACH THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - proper glidepath - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - fence
  - object - tree(s)
  - weather condition - no thermal lift
  - proper altitude - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE ACCIDENT GLIDER REALIZED HE WAS TOO LOW FOR A NORMAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 36 AS HE NEARED HIS HOME AIRPORT FROM THE NORTH.  HE ELECTED TO LAND STRAIGHT IN ON RUNWAY 18 AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO STRETCH HIS GLIDEPATH IN ORDER TO REACH IT WHEN HE COLLIDED WITH THE AIRPORT BOUNDARY FENCE AND A TREE WHICH WAS ON THE EDGE OF THE PROPERTY. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST ON THE AIRPORT FACING IN A NORTHERLY DIRECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2524H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2524H), registered now, S/N 454, built 1976 (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: 454
- Airframe hours: 2104
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Kittyhawk Soaring Club, Inc.
- Registered owner: Kittyhawk Soaring Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, April 22, 1992, 38 hours before
- Airport: 75G, Rossettie, runway 18, 2,465 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: expired; seat: front; flight hours: 122 total, 13 in this make and model, 64 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: JXN, 20 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 19920705023509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920705023509A), Jul 5, 1992: Scwzer SGS233A, Manchester, MI, Substantial damage. Student glider pilot ran out of thermals. Headed back but struck fence off approach end of runway.

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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