# NTSB LAX73DUJ55: Schweizer SGS232, N7770S, Maricopa, AZ, February 18, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: February 18, 1973
- Place: Maricopa, AZ · MARICOPA, AZ
- Location: 33.0581° N, 112.0476° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Maricopa, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0581&lon=-112.0476&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 17, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 169964
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX73DUJ55
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX73DUJ55

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0353  73/2/18    MARICOPA,ARIZ       SCHWEIZER SGS232    CR-  0  0  2  INSTRUCTIONAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1540                    N7770S              PX-  0  0  0  DUAL                      AGE 33, 6221 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            17 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - ESTRELLA SAILPORT
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MARICOPA,ARIZ               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           MISCELLANEOUS                                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           STALL                                                    LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           INSTRUMENTS/EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES - MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT: GLIDER LAUNCH/TOW EQUIPMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
           MISCELLANEOUS - EVASIVE MANEUVER TO AVOID COLLISION
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- TOW ROPE BROKE. HAD TO AVOID TELEPHONE POLES.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7770S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7770S), registered now, S/N 66, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS232
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 2-32](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-2-32) (registry code 8050206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Engines: none
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Estrella Sailport

## 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 19730218003939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730218003939A), Feb 18, 1973: Scwzer SGS232, Maricopa, AZ, Substantial damage. Tow rope broke. Had to avoid telephone poles.

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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