# NTSB IAD05CA148: Schweizer SGS-2-33A, N33964, Windsor, VA, September 25, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 25, 2005, 14:40 local (18:40 UTC)
- Place: Windsor, VA
- Coordinates: 36.860279, -76.692497
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8603&lon=-76.6925&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 29, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64466
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD05CA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64466/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD05CA148

## Probable cause

The solo student pilot's loss of control during landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - hangar/airport building

## Analysis

The student pilot of a Schweizer SGS 2-33A glider was on her first solo flight. The pilot released the glider from the tow plane about 3000 feet mean sea level, and upon returning to the gliderport, descended below traffic pattern altitude because she "misread her altimeter."  According to witnesses, the glider appeared "very low" on the base leg. The pilot overflew the runway approach path, turned "too sharply" to align with the runway centerline,  and "[the glider] fell out of the sky."  The glider overflew the runway and struck a hangar wall, a tent support post, and came to rest on top of two ground support vehicles.  The pilot reported that there were no deficiencies with the performance and handling of the glider.

## Factual narrative

The student pilot of a Schweizer SGS 2-33A glider was on her first solo flight. The pilot released the glider from the tow plane about 3000 feet mean sea level, and upon returning to the gliderport, descended below traffic pattern altitude because she "misread her altimeter."  According to witnesses, the glider appeared "very low" on the base leg. The pilot overflew the runway approach path, turned "too sharply" to align with the runway centerline,  and "[the glider] fell out of the sky."  The glider overflew the runway and struck a hangar wall, a tent support post, and came to rest on top of two ground support vehicles.  The pilot reported that there were no deficiencies with the performance and handling of the glider.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N33964](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N33964-2009-02-19), registration cancelled 2009-02-19, S/N 367, 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: 367
- Airframe hours: 4967
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tide487water Soaring Society
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2005
- Departed: 3VA8, Windsor, VA
- Destination: 3VA8, Windsor, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 16; injuries: none; student; last flight review July 1, 2005; seat: front; flight hours: 10 total, 10 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 5 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: KSFQ, 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 20050925034379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050925034379A), Sep 25, 2005: Scwzer SGS233A, Windsor, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) 09/25/05: Aircraft hit hangar & sun shelter during attempt to land by student pilot on first solo flight. A/c sustained substantial damage. No injuries…

## Other investigations on N33964 (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 NYC08CA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA267), Aug 3, 2008: Schweizer SGS 2-33A (N33964), Windsor, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's improper maneuvering at low altitude.

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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