# NTSB DEN84LA035: Schweizer SGS1-36, N3621B, Colorado Spring, CO, December 1, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 1, 1983, 13:04 local (20:04 UTC)
- Place: Colorado Spring, CO
- Location: 38.8339° N, 104.8214° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Colorado Springs, CO, within about 8 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8339&lon=-104.8214&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16298
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16298/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA035

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - mountain wave (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING HIS APCH TO LAND, THE GLIDER ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE. HE STATED THAT HE WAS 'UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ON LANDING CONTACT WITH GROUND.' THE GLIDER TOUCHED DOWN IN A LEFT YAW. SHORTLY AFTER TOUCHDOWN, HE REGAINED DIRECTIONAL CONTROL & CONTINUED THE LANDING TO A NORMAL STOP. A POST FLT EXAM REVEALED DAMAGE TO THE GLIDER'S GEAR BOX. THE PLT BELIEVED THAT THE TURBULENCE MIGHT HAVE BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH A ROTOR IN THE 3RD STANDING WAVE CYCLE OF A MOUNTAIN WAVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3621B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3621B), registered now, S/N 36, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS1-36
- 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: 36
- Airframe hours: 219
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Roger W. Mason
- Registered owner: Francis E. Harrington, III
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: C026, Black Forest Glider Port, runway 35, 5,200 × 20 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 2,539 total, 5 in this make and model, 2,358 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 30 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °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 19831201061059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831201061059A), Dec 1, 1983: Scwzer SGS136, Colorado Spring, CO, Substantial damage. Pilot made landing while aircraft was drifting sideways causing 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.

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