# NTSB ERA15CA012: Schweizer SGS 2 33A, N3619T, Waynesboro, VA, October 4, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 4, 2014, 11:20 local (15:20 UTC) - Place: Waynesboro, VA - Coordinates: 38.076946, -78.944442 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0769&lon=-78.9444&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 7, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 90226 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15CA012 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90226/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90226 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA012 ## Probable cause The glider's inadvertent encounter with low altitude wind shear. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: sudden wind shift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible; cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible; cases with it: [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/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: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Course deviation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/281); cases with it: [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/281/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, there were some areas of turbulence during the glider's aero tow to 3,000 feet, but the tow was uneventful. The flight was then smooth until descent to about 1,200 feet above ground level, when conditions became "bumpy." Upon entering the traffic pattern for runway 24, the pilot increased normal approach airspeed by 10 knots in anticipation of gusty headwinds on final approach. The approach then proceeded "normally" until short final, when the glider encountered a "rogue" wind gust that "violently" rolled it about 90 degrees to the right, heading it away from runway centerline. By the time the pilot was able to level the wings, the glider was too low, necessitating an off-airport landing into small trees that resulted in left wing spar damage. Winds, recorded at a nearby airport about the time of the accident, were from 260 degrees true at 13, gusting to 19 knots. The pilot did not report any preexisting mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, there were some areas of turbulence during the glider's aero tow to 3,000 feet, but the tow was uneventful. The flight was then smooth until descent to about 1,200 feet above ground level, when conditions became "bumpy." Upon entering the traffic pattern for runway 24, the pilot increased normal approach airspeed by 10 knots in anticipation of gusty headwinds on final approach. The approach then proceeded "normally" until short final, when the glider encountered a "rogue" wind gust that "violently" rolled it about 90 degrees to the right, heading it away from runway centerline. By the time the pilot was able to level the wings, the glider was too low, necessitating an off-airport landing into small trees that resulted in left wing spar damage. Winds, recorded at a nearby airport about the time of the accident, were from 260 degrees true at 13, gusting to 19 knots. The pilot did not report any preexisting mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: N3619T (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 2 33A - Category: Glider - Serial number: 568 - Year built: 1981 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Shenandoah Valley Soaring Inc - Registered owner: Shenandoah Valley Soaring Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 2014 - Departed: W13, Waynesboro, VA - Destination: W13, Waynesboro, VA - Airport: W13, Eagle'S Nest, runway 24, 2,004 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review March 14, 2014; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 595 total, 159 in this make and model, 417 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 13 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.72 inHg - Observed at: SHD, 11 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 20141004019079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141004019079A), Oct 4, 2014: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, Waynesboro, VA, Substantial damage. Gusty crosswinds encountered during approach to landing and glider struck trees and ground prior to the runway. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 2, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90226. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424400&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424519&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Redacted.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.