# NTSB LAX83FUG14: Schweizer 2-33A, N65808, North Shore, CA, January 22, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: January 22, 1983, 09:20 local (17:20 UTC)
- Place: North Shore, CA
- Coordinates: 33.549781, -115.969581 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5498&lon=-115.9696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23543
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FUG14
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23543/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FUG14

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb
  - glider launch/tow equipment - worn (contributing factor)
  - maintenance - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - glider launch/tow equipment - failure,total (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - aborted takeoff - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

THE RATED AIRPLANE PILOT WAS TAKING FLIGHT INSTRUCTION FOR A GLIDER RATING. HE HAD MADE APRX 11 PREVIOUS SOLO FLTS. THE ACCIDENT SEQUENCE BEGAN WHILE THE SAILPLANE WAS BEING LAUNCHED WITH A WENCH TOW. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE WENCH CABLE FAILED WHEN THE SAILPLANE WAS CLIMBING THRU APRX 100 AGL. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE PILOT DELAYED LOWERING THE SAILPLANE'S NOSE, AND SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLANE STALLED & CRASHED. AN EXAM OF THE CABLE REVEALED THAT IT HAD FAILED AT A SPLICE. THE NICROPRESS (FITTING) USED TO SPICE THE ENDS TOGETHER HAD BECOME WORN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N65808 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 2-33A
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 298
- Airframe hours: 3687
- Engines: NONE unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Salton Sea Air Service
- Registered owner: Brad Bertling
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Airport: Desert Air Sky Ranch

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,670 total, 1,442 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19830122002259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830122002259A), Jan 22, 1983: Scwzer SGS233A, North Shore, CA, Substantial damage. Tow cable broke on winch tow to 250 feet. Glider pitched up and stalled then dived to runway. Worn micropress splice

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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