# NTSB FTW90DPJ09: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N65879, Norman, OK, July 8, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 8, 1990, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Norman, OK
- Location: 35.2226° N, 97.4395° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Norman, OK, within about 8 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2226&lon=-97.4395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22958
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90DPJ09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22958/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90DPJ09

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF PROPER GLIDEPATH.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s)
  - proper glidepath - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE GLIDER PILOT FLEW AN APPROACH THAT RESULTED IN CONTROLLED FLIGHT INTO TREES ON THE EXTENDED CENTERLINE AND 760 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD. TREES WERE ABOUT 40 FEET TALL AND THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST SUSPENDED SLIGHTLY ABOVE THE GROUND ABOUT 20 DEGREES NOSE LOW.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N65879](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N65879), registered now, S/N 352, built 1974 (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: 352
- Airframe hours: 1100
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Paul P. Bartlett
- Registered owner: Soaring Sooners, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 3, 1990, 40 hours before
- Airport: OK14, David J. Perry, runway 17, 1,800 × 62 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 89 total, 9 in this make and model, 44 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 19 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OKC, 15 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 19900708024489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900708024489A), Jul 8, 1990: Scwzer SGS233A, Norman, OK, Substantial damage. Crashed into trees on final for landing. Misjudged gliding distance with gusty crosswind.

## Other investigations on N65879 (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI77DEM31](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI77DEM31), Jul 3, 1977: Schweizer SGS2-3 (N65879), Cedar, MI, substantial damage

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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