# NTSB LAX87LA104: Schweizer SGS 2-33, N5727S, Marana, AZ, January 31, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 31, 1987, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Marana, AZ
- Location: 32.4367° N, 111.2254° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Marana, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4367&lon=-111.2254&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 87-02-01](https://openairdocs.org/ad/87-02-01) (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25512
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA104
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25512/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA104

## Sequence of events

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

- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - glider launch/tow equipment - deployed inadvertently (cause)
  - maintenance,compliance with ad - not performed, company/operator management (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,service bulletin/letter - not followed, company/operator management (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A WINCH TOW, THE CABLE PREMATURELY RELEASED THE GLIDER AT APPROXIMATELY 100 TO 150 FEET. THE GLIDER REMAINED IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE MOMENTARILY THEN BEGAN A SHALLOW DESCENDING RIGHT TURN. AT APPROXIMATELY 75 FEET THE ROLL, PITCH, AND DESCENT RATE ACCELERATED. THE GLIDER COMPLETED APPROXIMATELY 140 DEGREES OF TURN THEN COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. SERVICE BULLETIN NO. SA-001 AND AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 87-02-01 WERE ADOPTED TO PREVENT THE POSSIBILITY OF AN INADVERTENT TOW-HOOK RELEASE DURING TOWING OPERATIONS. THE AD HAD NOT BEEN COMPLIED WITH AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5727S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5727S), registered now, S/N 71 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 2-33
- 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: 71
- Airframe hours: 6901
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tucson Soaring Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 15, 1986
- Departed: MARANA, AZ
- Airport: El Tiro Glider Port, runway 26, 5,000 ×  ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; student; medical: unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 70 total, 35 in this make and model, 36 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUS, 30 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 19870131001909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870131001909A), Jan 31, 1987: Scwzer SGS233, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. The glider spun in after early winch release. Student pilot. Cable release AD not complied with.

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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