# NTSB DEN90LA086: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N2048T, Morgan, UT, April 4, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 3, 1990, 18:15 local (Apr 4, 1990, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Morgan, UT
- Coordinates: 41.009494, -111.669227 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0095&lon=-111.6692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17913
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA086
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17913/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA086

## Probable cause

SEPARATION OF THE TOW ROPE AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE DESCENT RATE AS HE RETURNED TO LAND. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE TAILWIND AND THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING BEYOND THE RUNWAY END.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - glider launch/tow equipment - failure,total (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not identified, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT WITH SOLO ENDORSEMENT FOR GLIDERS, REPORTED THAT THE TOW LINE BROKE AT 650 FEET AGL DURING INITIAL CLIMB. HE ELECTED TO RETURN FOR A DOWNWIND LANDING BUT OVERSHOT THE RUNWAY. HE PLANNED AN APPROACH TO ROUGH TERRAIN OFF THE AIRPORT. DURING TOUCHDOWN FLARE, THE RIGHT WING STRUCK A TREE AND THE PLANE SLEWED TO THE RIGHT, STRUCK A DIRT EMBANKMENT, AND CAME TO REST WITH THE TAIL ON A FENCE. THE RIGHT WING WAS BROKEN SEVEN FEET FROM THE TIP, THE NOSE CONE WAS CRUSHED, AND THE ELEVATORS AND FUSELAGE WERE BENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2048T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2048T-2012-08-24), registration cancelled 2012-08-24, S/N 478, built 1977 (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: 478
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Crater Soaring, Inc.
- Departed: 42U
- Destination: 42U
- Airport: 42U, Morgan Co., runway 3, 3,800 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 216 total, 2 in this make and model, 188 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900403007749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900403007749A), Apr 3, 1990: Scwzer SGS233A, Morgan, UT, Substantial damage. Tow rope broke on glider tow at 650 feet AGL. Made 180 but overshot downwind landing, hit tree off airport.

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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