# NTSB MIA07LA041: Schweizer SGS 2-33, N5728S, Immokalee, FL, January 6, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 6, 2007, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Immokalee, FL - Coordinates: 26.433055, -81.401107 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.4331&lon=-81.4011&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 25, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA, Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 65266 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA07LA041 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65266/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA07LA041 ## Probable cause The failure of the glider towing "weak link," for undetermined reasons, at an inadequate altitude to effect a normal landing, resulting in a hard landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb - glider launch/tow equipment - failure,total - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - altitude - inadequate ## Analysis Shortly after takeoff after being towed by an automobile, the "weak link" of the tow rope broke while the glider was at an altitude of 40 feet. The pilot-rated student pitched down and established landing attitude at about 5 feet. The glider made a hard landing, seriously injuring the CFI. The pilot-rated student was not injured. The failed "weak link" was discarded by the operator before the NTSB made contact. ## Factual narrative On January 6, 2007, about 1330 eastern standard time, a Schweizer SGS 2-33 glider, N5728S, registered to and operated by High Soaring, Inc., was landed hard following failure of the weak link during a tow from the Immokalee Airport, Immokalee, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight from Immokalee Airport. The glider was not damaged and the certified flight instructor (CFI) sustained serious injuries but the pilot-rated student was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The CFI stated that the pilot-rated student was at the controls during an auto tow, and while at 40 feet and 43 knots indicated airspeed while increasing pitch, the "weak link" at the automotive end broke. The pilot-rated student responded immediately by pitching down per their previous briefing. Landing attitude was established approximately 5 feet above the ground, but the glider made a hard landing onto grass on airport property. The CFI notified the NTSB of the accident on January 16, 2007, which was after her release from the hospital on January 11, 2007. The failed weak link was discarded by the operator before the NTSB made contact. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5728S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5728S-2021-05-08), registration cancelled 2021-05-08, S/N 72, built 1968 (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: SGS-2-33-72 - Damage: No damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: High Soaring, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2006 - Departed: KIMM, Immokalee, FL - Airport: IMM, Immokalee Airport, runway 36, 5,000 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 66; injuries: serious; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2006; seat: rear; flight hours: 15,000 total, 42 in this make and model, 9,000 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days - Student pilot; age 61; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 2,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KRSW, 20 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 20070106008759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070106008759A), Jan 6, 2007: Scwzer SGS233, Immokalee, FL. (-23) During the automotive tow of the glider, the "weak-link" broke at the automotive end of the tow rope. The glider landed hard on the grass runway. ## Other investigations on N5728S (3) 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. - [NTSB MIA06CA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA06CA045), Jan 15, 2006: Schewizer 233 (N5728S), Immokalee, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance during the final approach to land, which resulted in an impact with trees, and a hard landing. - [NTSB SEA76DYE62](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA76DYE62), Sep 18, 1976: Schweizer SGS233 (N5728S), Monroe, WA, substantial damage - [NTSB LAX69D0054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX69D0054), Jul 14, 1968: Schweizer SGS233 (N5728S), Pearblossom, CA, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.