# NTSB MIA08CA172: Schweizer 2-33A, N17885, Wurtsboro, NY, August 23, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 23, 2008, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Wurtsboro, NY
- Coordinates: 41.597221, -74.458335 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5972&lon=-74.4583&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68784
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08CA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68784/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA172

## Probable cause

The failure of the dual student to relinquish flight control of the glider.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Communication (personnel): following instructions](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063537): Personnel issues › Task performance · Copilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063537/cases.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063537/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The certified flight instructor (CFI) of a Schweizer SGS2-33A glider stated that the accident flight was his first training flight with the student. He reviewed the student’s logbook and ascertained that he had a total of 25 flight hours in gliders. The CFI gave the student pilot ground instructions regarding speed limitations, pattern and approach speeds, and pattern entry execution. The student then performed the launch and tow to 2,500 feet above ground level, and the in-flight maneuvers were uneventful. During the approach to land, the CFI instructed the student pilot to "make a shallow left turn to get closer to runway 23;" however, the student pilot turned right. The CFI repeated "turn left," but the student pilot again turned right. The CFI advised the student pilot that he was taking control of the glider. He said that he repeated this to the student pilot but he did not respond nor did he relinquish control of the glider. Consequently, the glider impacted nose first into the ground. Examination of the glider by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the wings and fuselage were buckled.

## Factual narrative

The certified flight instructor (CFI) of a Schweizer SGS2-33A glider stated that the accident flight was his first training flight with the student. He reviewed the student's logbook and ascertained that he had a total of 25 flight hours in gliders. The CFI gave the student pilot ground instructions regarding speed limitations, pattern and approach speeds, and pattern entry execution. The student then performed the launch and tow to 2,500 feet above ground level, and the in-flight maneuvers were uneventful. During the approach to land, the CFI instructed the student pilot to "make a shallow left turn to get closer to runway 23;" however, the student pilot turned right. The CFI repeated "turn left," but the student pilot again turned right. The CFI advised the student pilot that he was taking control of the glider. He said that he repeated this to the student pilot but he did not respond nor did he relinquish control of the glider. Consequently, the glider impacted nose first into the ground. Examination of the glider by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the wings and fuselage were buckled.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N17885](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N17885-2009-11-19), registration cancelled 2009-11-19, S/N 255, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 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: 255
- Airframe hours: 4475
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Waco Transport LLC, doing business as Wurtsboro Flight Management incorporated
- Registered owner: Waco Transport LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2008
- Departed: N82, Wurtsboro, NY
- Destination: N82, Wurtsboro, NY
- Airport: N82, Wurtsboro-Sullivan County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 61; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2007; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,730 total, 120 in this make and model, 1,600 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours
- Student pilot; age 69; injuries: none; seat: front; flight hours: 25 total, 5 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.25 inHg
- Observed at: MGJ, 10 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 20080823849309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080823849309A), Aug 23, 2008: Scwzer SGS233A, Wurtsboro, NY, Substantial damage. (-23) On short final approach rwy 23 at N82, the pilot instructor tried to gain control of the aircraft. The student froze on the controls, the nose hit first,…

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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