# NTSB LAX84LA135: Schweizer SGS-2-33A, N17SH, Mokuleia, HI, December 18, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 18, 1983, 12:55 local (22:55 UTC)
- Place: Mokuleia, HI
- Coordinates: 21.489124, -158.049194 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.4891&lon=-158.0492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24139
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24139/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA135

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS RATED FOR AIRPLANES & HELICOPTERS, BUT DID NOT HAVE A GLIDER RATING. HE HAD ONLY 2.5 HRS IN GLIDERS, ALL OF WHICH WAS IN THIS SAME MAKE & MODEL. DURING A SOLO INSTRUCTIONAL FLT, HE ENCOUNTERED A HIGH SINK WHILE ON A BASE TURN TO LAND. HE STATED THAT AFTER EXPERIENCING THE SINK RATE, HE HAD INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO REACH THE RWY. THE PLT REPORTED THAT JUST PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN, HE ENCOUNTER A GUST OF WIND, THE LEFT WING CONTACTED THE GROUND & THE ACFT GROUND LOOPED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N17SH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N17SH-2001-12-05), registration cancelled 2001-12-05, S/N 82, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS-2-33A
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 2-33](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-2-33) (registry code 8051604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 82
- Airframe hours: 1725
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Soar Hawaii, Ltd.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 24, 1983, 35 hours before
- Departed: HDH
- Airport: HDH, Billingham, runway 8, 9,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 3,060 total, 3 in this make and model, 2,430 as pilot in command, 145 in the last 90 days, 78 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °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 19831218064099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831218064099A), Dec 18, 1983: Scwzer SGS233A, Dillingham Airf, HI, Substantial damage. Ecessive sink rate, could not make runway, landed in field. Left wing contacted ground, ground looped.

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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