# NTSB DEN82DA177: Schweizer 84, N5742S, Aspen, CO, August 29, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 29, 1982, 13:10 local (19:10 UTC)
- Place: Aspen, CO
- Coordinates: 39.190509, -106.820144 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1905&lon=-106.8201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 29, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69818
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69818/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA177

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - glider launch/tow equipment - failure,total (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AT LOW ALTITUDE AFTER TAKEOFF, THE AIRCRAFT HIT TURBULENCE AND THE TOW ROPE BROKE. THE PILOT REVERSED COURSE AND ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. HAVING INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE, HE LANDED ON A RAILROAD TRACK AND COLLIDED WITH BUSHES. THE LEFT WING CANOPY AND NOSE WERE DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5742S (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 84
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: SGS 2-33A
- Airframe hours: 1270
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gliders Of Aspen
- Registered owner: Dieter Bibbig
- Departed: ASE, ASPEN, CO
- Destination: ASE, ASPEN, CO
- Airport: Sardy Field, runway 33, 6,000 × 80 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 516 total, 117 in this make and model, 350 as pilot in command, 112 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 144 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820829042359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820829042359A), Aug 29, 1982: Scwzer SGS233, Aspen, CO, Substantial damage. Tow rope broke when glide hit rough air on initial tow. Struck bushes landing on a railroad bed. Tow rope old.

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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