# NTSB DEN84LA009: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N1232S, Falcon, CO, October 16, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 16, 1983, 11:50 local (17:50 UTC)
- Place: Falcon, CO
- Coordinates: 39.820949, -105.010131 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8209&lon=-105.0101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16282
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16282/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA009

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

DURING THE DESCENT FOR LANDING, THE PLT OBSERVED THAT THE WIND WAS FROM THE SOUTH. THE PLT DECIDED TO LAND DOWNWIND IN THE UPSLOPING DIRECTION OF THE GLIDER STRIP RATHER THAN UPWIND IN THE DOWNSLOPING DIRECTION. HE MADE HIS BASE LEG TOO CLOSE TO THE STRIP & HE WAS HIGH & FAST ON FINAL. DURING THE LANDING FLARE A GUST OF WIND RAISED THE LEFT WING WHICH CAUSED THE RIGHT WING TO DRAG & THE GLIDER TO GROUND LOOP. THE WIND WAS GUSTING TO 25 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1232S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1232S), registered now, S/N 216, built 1971 (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: 216
- Airframe hours: 2889
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William M. Jensen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 1, 1983, 20 hours before
- Airport: QQV, Meadow Lake, runway 23, 1,500 ×  ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 109 total, 5 in this make and model, 84 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 46 °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 19831016056869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831016056869A), Oct 16, 1983: Scwzer SGS233A, Falcon, CO, Substantial damage. Pilot dragged wing on ground causing ground loop. Attempted downwind uphill landing was mistake causing crash.

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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