# NTSB ERA21LA330: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N2805H, North Springfield, VT, August 15, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 15, 2021, 18:41 local (22:41 UTC) - Place: North Springfield, VT - Coordinates: 43.352998, -72.506206 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3530&lon=-72.5062&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Glider tow event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/510) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 103723 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA21LA330 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103723/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103723 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA330 ## Probable cause The check pilot's failure to account for the extended departure distance from the airport during a simulated tow rope break and recovery. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: glide](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062027): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062027/cases.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062027/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Simulated/training event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 173 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Glider tow event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/510) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/510/sequence.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/510/sequence.md) ## Analysis Two glider pilots were conducting a simulated rope break from 200ft above ground level (AGL). The glider pilot had requested the tow pilot sidestep right on upwind further than normal to allow for enough distance between the upwind leg and the runway. After a normal takeoff, the tow pilot sidestepped further right than the previous flights. After the tow rope was released, the glider pilot made a steep turn back toward the runway and realized that the runway was beyond glide distance. The pilot elected to land the glider in a clear area beside a dirt road, but during the landing, the left wing impacted a tree, resulting in substantial damage to the wing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2805H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2805H), registered now, S/N 515, built 1978 (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: 515 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 6090 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Civil Air Patrol - Registered owner: Civil Air Patrol - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 12, 2021 - Airport: VSF, Hartness State (Springfield) - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 30, 2021; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 530 total, 76 in this make and model, 402 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 30, 2020; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 4,600 total, 33 in this make and model, 2,493 as pilot in command, 271 in the last 90 days, 93 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: VSF, 1 nm away - METAR: KVSF 152254Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 20/08 A3021 RMK AO2 SLP229 T02000083 ## 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 20210815017299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210815017299A), Aug 15, 2021: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, North Springfie, VT, Substantial damage. Pilot statement - was practicing a simulated rope break on glider tow departing from rw 5. Was attempting to return and land on rw 23 but was not able to make… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 4, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103723. 2.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12992429&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20N2805H_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot statements (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 246 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12992339&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20statements-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 451 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12992164&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photographs%20-%20ERA21LA330-Rel.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.