# NTSB CHI98LA268: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N17901, Indianapolis, IN, July 12, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 12, 1998, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Indianapolis, IN - Coordinates: 39.770236, -86.109497 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7702&lon=-86.1095&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43098 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA268 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43098/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA268 ## Probable cause the delayed in-flight decision of the pilot in command to take control of the aircraft and the proper airspeed not obtained/maintained by the pilot in command which resulted in a stall. A factor to the accident was the runway light. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - airspeed - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - stall, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - runway light (contributing factor) ## Analysis The instructor stated that when they turned base to final they were approximately 250' above ground level (agl). The CFI told the student to use 'Full' spoilers to bring the aircraft back on a normal glide path to the runway. The CFI stated that at approximately 100' agl the student had 'Full' spoilers deployed and had an excessive nose down attitude. The CFI told the student 'Close' the spoilers and bring the nose up to reduce the excessive airspeed. The CFI stated that the student began to bring the nose up, without closing the spoilers, and that he took control of the aircraft at this point. The CFI closed the spoilers completely but the aircraft was already entering a stall. The CFI stated that he reduced the angle of attack in order to regain airspeed and then flared close to the ground. The CFI stated that the aircraft 'Pancaked-in, a landing hard enough to throw me into the shoulder straps and my head down so that briefly I could not see outside.' The aircraft drifted to right side of the runway and the right wing impacted a runway light before coming to a stop. ## Factual narrative On July 12, 1998, at 1100 eastern standard time (edt), a Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N17901, piloted by a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), sustained substantial damage when it collided with a taxiway light during landing roll on runway 18 (5000' x. 100', concrete, dry) at Indianapolis Terry Airport, near Indianapolis, Indiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight was not operating on a flight plan. The CFI and student reported no injuries. The local flight departed Indianapolis Terry Airport at 1055 edt. According to the pilot-in-command's written statement, he was giving dual instruction to a student pilot at the time of the accident. The CFI stated that when they were maneuvering the aircraft to enter the traffic pattern for the grass area, which parallels runway 18, he noticed that another glider was also entering the same traffic pattern. The student pilot initiated a radio transmission to the pattern traffic that they intended to execute a left pattern for the grass landing area. The CFI also made a transmission to the other glider that they were directly behind them. The CFI stated that there was no response. The CFI decided to alter their traffic pattern to land on runway 18, due to the other traffic that was ahead of their glider. The CFI stated that when they turned base to final they were approximately 250' above ground level (agl). The CFI told the student to use "Full" spoilers to bring the aircraft back on a normal glide path to the runway. The CFI stated that at approximately 100' agl the student had "Full" spoilers deployed and had an excessive nose down attitude. The CFI told the student "Close" the spoilers and bring the nose up to reduce the excessive airspeed. The CFI stated that the student began to bring the nose up, without closing the spoilers, and that he took control of the aircraft at this point. The CFI closed the spoilers completely but the aircraft was already entering a stall. The CFI stated that he reduced the angle of attack in order to regain airspeed and then flared close to the ground. The CFI stated that the aircraft "Pancaked-in, a landing hard enough to throw me into the shoulder straps and my head down so that briefly I could not see outside." The aircraft drifted to right side of the runway and the right wing impacted a runway light before coming to a stop. In the written statement by the pilot in command, the CFI stated, "My errors were not taking control earlier and not announcing to the student that I had done so when I grabbed the controls." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N17901](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N17901), registered now, S/N 291, built 1973 (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: 291 - Airframe hours: 3718 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Central Indiana Soaring Societ - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 3, 1998, 28 hours before - Departed: I52 - Airport: TYQ, Indianapolis Terry Airpor, runway 18, 5,000 × 100 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: rear; flight hours: 489 total, 100 in this make and model, 227 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: IND, 19 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 19980712037699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980712037699A), Jul 12, 1998: Scwzer SGS233A, Indianapolis, IN, Substantial damage. (.19)On July 12, 1998, at 1100 eastern standard time, a Schweizer sgs 2-33A, N17901, piloted by a certified flight instructor (CFI), sustained substantial… 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.