# NTSB DEN85LA128: Schweizer SGS 2-32, N2477W, Colorado Spring, CO, May 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1985, 13:42 local (19:42 UTC)
- Place: Colorado Spring, CO
- Coordinates: 39.050277, -104.690574 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0503&lon=-104.6906&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): 16672
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA128
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16672/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA128

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - aircraft parked/standing

## Analysis

THE GLIDER COLLIDED WITH A PARKED ACFT FOLLOWING A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL. THE PLT REPORTED THE LEFT WING DIPPED DURING THE LANDING ROLL BECAUSE OF THE X-WIND. THE LEFT WING TIP WHEEL DUG INTO AN AREA OF SOFT SAND BESIDE THE RWY AND THE WHEEL SNAGGED A TOW ROPE WHICH WAS LYING ALONG THE EDGE OF THE RWY. THE GLIDER WAS PULLED APRX 30 DEGS TO THE LEFT AND IMPACTED THE PARKED ACFT. THE WING SPAN OF THE GLIDER IS WIDER THAN THE WIDTH OF THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2477W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2477W-2022-11-05), registration cancelled 2022-11-05, S/N 51, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 2-32
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 2-32](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-2-32) (registry code 8050206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 51
- Airframe hours: 6835
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wave Flights, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 15, 1984, 71 hours before
- Airport: Black Forest, runway 17, 5,000 ×  ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 92 total, 28 in this make and model, 38 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 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 19850505017729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850505017729A), May 5, 1985: Scwzer SGS232, Colorado Spring, CO, Substantial damage. Wing contacted tailwheel of parked tow plane on rollout. Wingtip wheel snagged tow rope and pulled glider around.

## Other investigations on N2477W (1)

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 CHI91LA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA219), Jul 16, 1991: Schweizer 2-32 (N2477W), Plainfield, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN PROPER ALIGNMENT WITH THE RUNWAY. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE HIGH VEGETATION/CROP IN WHICH THE LANDING WAS MADE.

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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