# NTSB IAD97LA062: Schweizer SGS-233A, N2559H, Woodbine, MD, March 9, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 9, 1997, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Woodbine, MD
- Coordinates: 39.329338, -77.059684 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3293&lon=-77.0597&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28185
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD97LA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28185/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97LA062

## Probable cause

The pilot misjudged his altitude during approach.

## 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)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the glider struck trees during final approach to a grass strip.  According to FAA records, the pilot received a third class medical on October 3, 1991, at which time he reported over 260 hours of total flight experience.  The FAA and NTSB were unable to obtain any information from the pilot, and a completed NTSB Form 6120.1/2 was not received from the pilot/operator of the glider.  |Examination of the wreckage did not disclose any anomalies with the glider.

## Factual narrative

On March 9, 1997, at 1600 eastern standard time, N2559H, a Schweizer SGS-233A glider, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees during final approach at the Woodbine Airport, Woodbine, Maryland.  The private pilot and passenger received minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed.  The local, personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, during final approach to a grass strip, the glider struck trees.  The pilot reported over 260 hours of total flight experience when he completed a third class medical certificate that was issued on October 3, 1991.

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) were unable to obtain any information from the pilot, and a completed NTSB Form 6120.1/2 was not received from the pilot/operator of the glider.

Examination of the wreckage did not disclose any anomalies with the glider.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2559H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2559H-1998-03-07), registration cancelled 1998-03-07, S/N 499 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schweizer SGS-233A
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-2-33a) (registry code 8051606) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas Britt Passin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: MD
- Airport: MD78, Woodbine

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 260 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19970309002619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970309002619A), Mar 9, 1997: Scwzer SGS233A, Woodbine, MD, Substantial damage. Glider struck a tree and cartwheeled before coming to rest short of runway, may have been too low on approach.

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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