# NTSB CHI96TA260: Schweizer SGS 2-33AK, N65809, Mattoon, IL, June 19, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 19, 1996, 13:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Mattoon, IL
- Coordinates: 39.470695, -88.359222 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4707&lon=-88.3592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10407
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96TA260
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10407/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96TA260

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the glider.  Factors were the runway sign and the failure of the pilot to maintain a visual lookout.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - airport sign/marker (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

According to statements provided by Civil Air Patrol personnel, the glider was being towed by a Cessna 172 at the wing flight encampment.  As the glider and tow airplane accelerated down the runway, the glider 'drifted left of centerline.  The left wing was down and [the wing] collided with a plastic runway apron sign.'  The glider released from the tow airplane, departed the runway, and came to rest in a grassy area.  The two pilots egressed uneventfully.  The tow airplane aborted the takeoff uneventfully. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the left wing. No evidence of flight control malfunction or mechanical anomaly was reported.

## Factual narrative

On June 19, 1996, at 1350 central daylight time, a Schweizer SGS 2-33AK, N65809, operated by the Civil Air Patrol, was substantially damaged when it impacted a sign during takeoff at the Coles County Airport in Mattoon, Illinois.  The pilot and student pilot reported no injuries.  The local, public use, training flight originated about 1350.  The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 in visual meteorological conditions.  No flight plan was filed.

According to statements provided by Civil Air Patrol personnel, the glider was being towed by a Cessna 172 at the wing flight encampment.  As the glider and tow airplane accelerated down the runway, the glider "drifted left of centerline.  The left wing was down and [the wing] collided with a plastic runway apron sign."  The glider released from the tow airplane, departed the runway, and came to rest in a grassy area.  The two pilots egressed uneventfully.  The tow airplane aborted the takeoff uneventfully.

Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the left wing.  No evidence of flight control malfunction or mechanical anomaly was reported.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N65809](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N65809), registered now, S/N 311, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schweizer SGS 2-33AK
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 2-33AK](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-2-33ak) (registry code 8050210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 311
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91
- Registered owner: Civil Air Patrol
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MTO
- Airport: MTO, Coles County, runway 29R, 6,501 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: rear; flight hours: 750 total, 550 in this make and model, 710 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 13 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 66 °F

## 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 19960619035989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960619035989A), Jun 19, 1996: Scwzer SGS233AK, Mattoon Charles, IL, Substantial damage. Wing hit a sign during aerial tow after veering to edge runway. Towplane released glider. Aborted tow safely. (-23) the aircraft drifted left 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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