# NTSB DEN83LA210: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N7590, Durango, CO, September 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1983, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Durango, CO
- Coordinates: 37.269329, -107.879364 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2693&lon=-107.8794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16155
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA210
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16155/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA210

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER RELEASING FROM AN AERIAL TOW ABOUT 2,000 FT AGL, THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO FIND LIFTING THERMALS. THE GLIDER BEGAN TO DESCEND ABOUT 800 FPM SO THE PLT MANEUVERED TO RETURN TO THE AIRSTRIP. THE GLIDER COLLIDED WITH SEVERAL SMALL TREES SHORT OF THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7590](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7590-2014-11-18), registration cancelled 2014-11-18, S/N 180, built 1970 (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: 180
- Airframe hours: 2697
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Durango Soaring Assoc. Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 14, 1983, 90 hours before
- Airport: 9C08, Val-Air, runway 17, 3,400 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 200 total, 200 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 75 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DRO

## Other investigations on N7590 (2)

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 DEN86LA226](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA226), Aug 9, 1986: Schweizer SGS 2-33A (N7590), Durango, CO, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN78FQA28](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN78FQA28), May 20, 1978: Schweizer 233A (N7590), Aztec, NM, substantial damage

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.