# NTSB ERA11CA323: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N2656H, Wurstboro, NY, June 1, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 1, 2011, 15:44 local (19:44 UTC) - Place: Wurstboro, NY - Coordinates: 41.591388, -74.455001 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5914&lon=-74.4550&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 22, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 79284 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA323 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79284/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79284 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA323 ## Probable cause The flying pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision while landing with a gusting wind. Contributing to the accident was the lack of communication between the flight instructor and pilot under evaluation regarding who was manipulating the controls. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 200 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified; cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Communication (personnel): lack of communication](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510/cases.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510/cases.md) - [Communication (personnel): lack of communication](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510/cases.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the glider was receiving a biennial flight review from a flight instructor. They completed two uneventful flights prior to the accident flight. According the flight instructor, during the third flight, with the pilot under evaluation at the controls, the glider was approximately 500 feet above the ground, 2,000 feet from the end of the turf runway, and slightly slow in the flight instructor's judgment. To correct for the airspeed deficiency, the flight instructor manipulated the flight controls forward and told the pilot to increase the airspeed due to the strong headwind. According to the pilot, the airspeed varied 15 mph during the approach and the glider was descending fast, when he relinquished control of the glider to the flight instructor. The flight instructor stated that he did not assume control of glider, which was abnormally low but still within a good safety margin to land, in his judgment. About 200 feet above ground level, the glider encountered a downdraft for approximately four seconds. Then, when the glider was 75 feet above ground level, it banked violently to the right. The glider impacted trees, a berm, and a guard rail resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage. The flight instructor further stated that he never had any doubt that the pilot was in control of the glider, while the pilot under evaluation asserted the instructor stated he had control after the plane began a rapid descent on final approach. Both pilots reported there were no preexisting mechanical anomalies with the glider. The wind reported at an airport 10 miles to the southeast of the accident location was from 220 degrees 14 knots gusting to 21 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the glider was receiving a biennial flight review from a flight instructor. They completed two uneventful flights prior to the accident flight. According the flight instructor, during the third flight, with the pilot under evaluation at the controls, the glider was approximately 500 feet above the ground and 2,000 feet from the end of the turf runway and slightly slow in the CFI's judgment. To correct for the airspeed deficiency, the CFI manipulated the flight controls forward and told the pilot to increase the airspeed due to the strong headwind. According to the pilot, the airspeed varied 15 mph during the approach and the glider was descending fast, when he relinquished control of the glider to the flight instructor. The flight instructor stated that he did not assume control of glider which was abnormally low but still within a good safety margin to land in his judgment. About 200 feet above ground level, the glider encountered a downdraft for approximately four seconds. Then, when the glider was 75 feet above ground level, it banked violently to the right. The glider impacted trees, a berm, and a guard rail resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage. The flight instructor further stated that he never had any doubt that the pilot was in control of the glider, while the pilot under evaluation asserted the instructor stated he had control after the plane began a rapid descent on final approach. Both pilots reported there were no preexisting mechanical anomalies with the glider. The winds reported at an airport 10 miles to the southeast of the accident location were from 220 degrees 14 knots gusting to 21 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2656H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2656H), registered now, S/N 436 (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: 436 - Airframe hours: 5259 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Wurstboro Flight Management - Registered owner: Waco Transport Buisiness Trust - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, August 17, 2010 - Departed: N82, Wurstboro, NY - Destination: N82, Wurstboro, NY - Airport: N82, Wurtsboro - Sullivan County, runway 23, 3,592 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 26; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 16, 2010; seat: rear; flight hours: 980 total, 470 in this make and model, 861 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 76; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 3, 2009; seat: front; flight hours: 4,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 14 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: MGJ, 10 nm away ## 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 20110601010299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110601010299A), Jun 1, 2011: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, Wurtsboro, NY, Substantial damage. On 06/01/2011 at approx 15:15 local a schweitzer SGS2-33A glider was substantially damage when it impacted guardrails and surface of state highway 209 which… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 24, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79284. 2.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Pilot (item 1, .PDF, 555 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349669&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Flight Instructor (item 2, .PDF, 595 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349868&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Flight%20Instructor-Redacted.PDF - Pilot and Flight Instructor Statements (item 3, .PDF, 103 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349671&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20and%20Flight%20Instructor%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement and Interview Summary (item 4, .PDF, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349111&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement%20and%20Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Flight Instructor Statement and Interview Summary (item 5, .PDF, 143 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349112&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Instructor%20Statement%20and%20Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Montgomery, New York, Weather Observations (item 6, .PDF, 92 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349113&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Montgomery,%20New%20York,%20Weather%20Observations-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Damaged Glider (item 7, .PDF, 962 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349116&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Damaged%20Glider-Master.PDF 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.