# NTSB LAX89LA291: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N65843, Hemet, CA, August 30, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 30, 1989, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Hemet, CA
- Location: 33.7340° N, 117.0223° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at HEMET-RYAN (HMT), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7340&lon=-117.0223&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26488
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA291
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26488/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA291

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

INADEQUATE CREW COORDINATION BETWEEN THE TOW PILOT AND GLIDER PILOT, FAILURE OF THE GLIDER PILOT TO OBTAIN PROPER ASSISTANCE, AND THE TOW PILOT'S MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE GLIDER PILOT'S INTENTIONS.

## Probable cause (aircraft 1)

INADEQUATE CREW COORDINATION BETWEEN THE TOW PILOT AND GLIDER PILOT, FAILURE OF THE GLIDER PILOT TO OBTAIN PROPER ASSISTANCE, AND THE TOW PILOT'S MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE GLIDER PILOT'S INTENTIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - roll/run
  - crew/group coordination - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - crew/group coordination - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - proper assistance - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - communications - misread, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - glider/tow release - performed, pilot of other aircraft
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - not maintained, unqualified person (contributing factor)
  - stall - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - roll/run
  - crew/group coordination - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - crew/group coordination - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper assistance - not used, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - communications - misread, pilot in command (cause)
  - glider/tow release - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

WHEN THE GLIDER PLT & TOW PLT WERE READY TO LAUNCH, THE RWY ASSISTANT WAS HELPING WITH THE LAUNCH OF ANOTHER GLIDER. THE GLIDER PLT OF N65843 ELECTED TO CONNECT THE TOW LINE TO HIS OWN GLIDER. THE TOW PLANE WAS TAXIED INTO PSN & THE GLIDER PLT CONNECTED THE LINE. THE TOW PLT WATCHED AS THE GLIDER PLT GOT INTO THE COCKPIT (AFT SEAT) WITH A PSGR IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE GLIDER PLT THEN DECIDED TO GET OUT AGAIN TO ADJUST HIS SEAT CUSHION. HOWEVER, AS HE WAS GETTING OUT, THE TOW PLT SAW MOVEMENT OF THE RUDDER WHICH HE ASSUMED WAS THE SIGNAL FOR LAUNCH. THE TOW PLT LOOKED AWAY & BGN A TAKEOFF WITH ONLY THE PSGR IN THE GLIDER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE CLIDER WAS RELEASED AS IT WENT OUT OF CONTROL, STALLED & CRASHED.

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

WHEN THE GLIDER PLT & TOW PLT WERE READY TO LAUNCH, THE RWY ASSISTANT WAS HELPING WITH THE LAUNCH OF ANOTHER GLIDER. THE GLIDER PLT OF N65843 ELECTED TO CONNECT THE TOW LINE TO HIS OWN GLIDER. THE TOW PLANE WAS TAXIED INTO PSN & THE GLIDER PLT CONNECTED THE LINE. THE TOW PLT WATCHED AS THE GLIDER PLT GOT INTO THE COCKPIT (AFT SEAT) WITH A PSGR IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE GLIDER PLT THEN DECIDED TO GET OUT AGAIN TO ADJUST HIS SEAT CUSHION. HOWEVER, AS HE WAS GETTING OUT, THE TOW PLT SAW MOVEMENT OF THE RUDDER WHICH HE ASSUMED WAS THE SIGNAL FOR LAUNCH. THE TOW PLT LOOKED AWAY & BGN A TAKEOFF WITH ONLY THE PSGR IN THE GLIDER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE GLIDER WAS RELEASED AS IT WENT OUT OF CONTROL, STALLED & CRASHED.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N65843](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N65843), registered now, S/N 333, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 2-33A
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-2-33a) (registry code 8051606) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 333
- Airframe hours: 2599
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Academic Soaring Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, March 22, 1989, 12 hours before
- Airport: HMT, Hemet-Ryan, runway 22, 2,045 × 20 ft, asphalt

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N9340X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9340X-2003-11-08), registration cancelled 2003-11-08, S/N 18253740, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182E
- Registry model: [Cessna 182E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182e) (registry code 2072712) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18253740
- Airframe hours: 5449
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Hemet Valley Flying Service Co
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 11, 1989, 92 hours before
- Airport: HMT, Hemet-Ryan, runway 22, 2,045 × 20 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N65843; age 27; private; medical: unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 35 total, 33 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days
- Pilot, aircraft N9340X; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,726 total, 1,248 in this make and model, 8,639 as pilot in command, 272 in the last 90 days, 79 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19890830065859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890830065859A), Aug 30, 1989: Scwzer SGS233A, Hemet, CA, Destroyed. After tow hookup pilot got out to arrange cushion. Tow plane took off. Passenger in glider was released and stalled
- [Incident 19890830032899I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890830032899I), Aug 30, 1989: Cessna 182E, Hemet, CA, Minor damage. Had a pilotless glider in tow on takeoff. Glider pitched up and lifted tail. Prop hit ground before tail lowered.

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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