# NTSB DEN83FTE05: Schweizer 1-36, N36166, Colo Springs, CO, January 6, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: January 6, 1983, 10:40 local (17:40 UTC)
- Place: Colo Springs, CO
- Coordinates: 39.049621, -104.689193 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0496&lon=-104.6892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16009
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83FTE05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16009/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83FTE05

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, maneuvering
  - wing,spar - bent (contributing factor)
  - wing,wing attachment bolt - distorted (contributing factor)
  - wing,skin - buckled (contributing factor)
  - fuselage - buckled (contributing factor)
  - wing,skin - distorted (contributing factor)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - speed brakes - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE GLIDER WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING A PULLUP FROM A DIVE AT ALTITUDE. THE WING WAS RIPPLED AND BECKLED AND DAMAGED AT THE ATTACH POINTS. THE DIHEDRIAL HAD CHANGED FROM 6 DEGREES TO 8.5 DEGREES. THERE WAS ALSO UNMEASURED CHANGE IN THE SWEEPBACK. IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE PILOT ACHIEVED THE AIRSPEED ESTIMATED FROM THE BAROGRAPH AT 146 MPH BY RETRACTING THE SPEED BRAKES DURING THE DIVE. MAXIMUM AIRSPEED IS 136 MPH FOR THIS GLIDER. THE PILOT DOES NOT RECALL THE PULLUP EXCEPT FOR NEGATIVE G'S AT THE TOP. POSITIVE G FORCES WERE ESTIMATED AT 10.5 TO 11. THE AIRCRAFT MADE A NORMAL LANDING AFTER THE FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N36166](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N36166), registered now, S/N 10, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 1-36 (I-36)
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-36](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-36) (registry code 8050153) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 10
- Airframe hours: 328
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wave Flights, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 3, 1982, 72 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 219 total, 9 in this make and model, 164 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19830106000589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830106000589A), Jan 6, 1983: Scwzer SGS136, Colorado Spring, CO, Substantial damage. Pilot exceeded red line speed on dive to obtain maximum altitude. Bent and tore wing spars. Misused dive brakes.

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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