# NTSB DEN82DA064: Schweizer SGS-2-33A, N2045T, Colorado Spring, CO, April 17, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1982, 14:10 local (21:10 UTC)
- Place: Colorado Spring, CO
- Coordinates: 39.050964, -104.690414 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0510&lon=-104.6904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70302
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70302/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA064

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT REPORTED THAT HE CAME OVER THE AIRPORT AT ABOUT 1200 FT AGL TO ENTER A DOWNWIND FOR LANDING. HE STATED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED A MODERATE TO STRONG SINK AND STRONG SOUTHERLY WINDS. HE ESTIMATED THAT THE WIND VELOCITY WAS 45 TO 50 MPH AT 1000 FT AGL. IN ORDER TO PENETRATE, HE INCREASED HIS SPEED AT THE EXPENSE OF ALTITUDE AND TURNED DOWNWIND AT ABOUT 600 FT AGL. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WITH THE STRONG TAILWIND, HE OVERSHOT HIS REFERENCE POINT FOR A TURN TO BASE. AFTER TURNING BASE, THE AIRCRAFT DRIFTED FURTHER NORTH. HE THEN MADE A HARD TURN TO FINAL APPROACH, BUT WAS TOO LOW TO CLEAR TREES NORTH OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2045T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2045T-2023-09-16), registration cancelled 2023-09-16, S/N 475, built 1977 (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: 475
- Airframe hours: 2400
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Wave Flights, Inc.
- Registered owner: Wave Flights, Inc.
- Departed: CO26, COLORADO SPRING, CO
- Destination: CO26, COLORADO SPRING, CO
- Airport: CO26, Black Forest Gliderport, runway 17, 5,000 × 20 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; student; medical: unknown, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 20 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 35 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 149 °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 19820417035919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820417035919A), Apr 17, 1982: Scwzer SGS233A, Colorado Spring, CO, Substantial damage. Glider crashed into trees short of runway, pilot misjudged effect of wind.

## Other investigations on N2045T (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 ERA13LA229](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA229), May 4, 2013: Schweizer SGS 2-33A (N2045T), Erwinna, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of glider control due to improper rigging of the rudder control cables, the mechanic’s inadequate flight control checks following the glider’s most recent annual inspection, and the…

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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