# NTSB CHI98LA013: Schweizer FGS-233, N5762S, Ionia, MI, October 12, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 12, 1997, 14:12 local (18:12 UTC)
- Place: Ionia, MI
- Coordinates: 42.980159, -85.050773 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9802&lon=-85.0508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10764
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10764/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA013

## Probable cause

the pilot misjudged the landing approach which resulted in his failure to attain a proper touchdown point.  A factor was the trees.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that the glider developed an 'unusual' sink rate while on downwind to runway 18.  He elected not to fly a base leg, but instead he turned directly toward the runway.  He reported the sink rate increased and he was unable to clear trees in his flight path.  The glider contacted trees and came to rest about 1,000 feet prior to the approach end of the runway.

## Factual narrative

On October 12, 1997, at 1412 eastern daylight time, a Schweizer SGS-233 glider, N5762S, operated by a commercial rated glider pilot, collided with the terrain when the glider landed short of Runway 18 at the Ionia County Airport, Ionia, Michigan.  The personal 14 CFR Part 91 local flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.  The pilot and passenger both received minor injuries.  The glider was substantially damaged.  The flight originated from Ionia, Michigan, at 1334 edt.

The pilot reported that he entered the traffic pattern at 850' above ground level and made a normal downwind until he perceived that the glider had developed an unusual sink rate.  He reported, "Cut downwind short an estimated 200 yards.  Executed right turn to base chose not to fly base, but take the shortest, diagonal track to nearest point of runway."  The pilot continued to report that the sink rate apparently increased and he was unable to clear trees in his path at which time he chose to land the glider in a clearing to the side of the trees.

The glider contacted several small trees prior to contacting a large tree with the left wing.  The glider came to rest approximately 1,000' short of the approach end of the runway.

Two witnesses who saw the glider in the traffic pattern reported that it appeared that the pilot had extended his downwind leg too far.

Inspectors from the Grand Rapids Michigan FAA Flight Standards District Office inspected the airplane.  They reported that the flight controls were intact and properly rigged with the exception of the spoilers which were jammed due to impact damage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5762S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5762S-2013-02-21), registration cancelled 2013-02-21, S/N 99, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schweizer FGS-233
- 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: 99
- Airframe hours: 1128
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Msu Soaring Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 18, 1997, 46 hours before
- Departed: Y70
- Destination: Y70
- Airport: Y70, Ionia County, runway 18

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; commercial; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 201 total, 56 in this make and model, 167 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRR, 23 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 19971012031229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971012031229A), Oct 12, 1997: Scwzer SGS233A, Ionia, MI, Substantial damage. Crash landed short runway. (.4)the pilot reported that the glider developed an 'unusual' sink rate while on downwind to runway 18. He elected not to fly a base…

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.