# NTSB LAX85LA003: Schweizer SGS 2-33, N2616H, Twentynine Palm, CA, October 6, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 6, 1984, 13:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: Twentynine Palm, CA
- Coordinates: 34.24065, -115.859222 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2407&lon=-115.8592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24567
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24567/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA003

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - altitude - improper, dual student (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - excessive, dual student (cause)
  - pull-up - excessive, dual student (cause)
  - glider launch/tow equipment - separation (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, dual student
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command(cfi)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE BEING TOWED AT AN ALT OF APRX 200 FT AGL GLIDER WAS BELOW NORMAL TOW POSITION. GLIDER WAS PUT INTO A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE FOR CORRECTION AND THE WEAK LINK IN THE TOW LINE SEPARATED. GLIDER STALLED, RT WING DROPPED AND ACFT CONTACTED THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2616H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2616H-1985-01-23), registration cancelled 1985-01-23, S/N 426 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 2-33
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-2-33a) (registry code 8051606) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 426
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Civil Air Patrol, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 1, 1984, 60 hours before
- Airport: TNP, Twentynine Palms, runway 8, 5,520 × 47 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: rear; flight hours: 800 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TRM, 32 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 19841006054459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841006054459A), Oct 6, 1984: Scwzer SGS233A, Twentynine Palm, CA, Destroyed. Tow rope broke as glider was nose high to align with tow airplane. Glider stalled, hit ground. Too low to recover.

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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