# NTSB FTW69D0381: Schweizer 2-33, N5715S, Refugio, TX, December 14, 1968

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: December 14, 1968
- Place: Refugio, TX · REFUGIO, TX
- Location: 28.3074° N, 97.2750° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Refugio, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3074&lon=-97.2750&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1969
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 191997
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW69D0381
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW69D0381

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-4771  68/12/14   REFUGIO,TEX         SCHWEIZER 2-33      CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 63, 716
        TIME - 1315                    N5715S              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 4 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-NONE         OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - ROOKE
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           GROUND-WATER LOOP-SWERVE                                 TAKEOFF: RUN
           MISCELLANEOUS                                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL
           PERSONNEL - MISCELLANEOUS-PERSONNEL: GROUND CREWMAN
        FACTOR(S)
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: HIGH VEGETATION
        REMARKS- TOW LINE MAN TRIPPED OVER TOW ROPE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REMAIN CLEAR OF THE GLIDER.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5715S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5715S), registered now, S/N 61, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 2-33
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 2-33](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-2-33) (registry code 8051604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Engines: none
- Damage: No damage
- Airport: Rooke

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.