# NTSB MIA95LA225: Schweizer SGU-2-22K, N2717Z, Picayune, MS, September 17, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 17, 1995, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Picayune, MS - Coordinates: 30.51992, -89.669692 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5199&lon=-89.6697&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 19, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37827 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95LA225 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37827/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA225 ## Probable cause The pilot-in-command's disregard of a weather forecast and flight into known adverse weather condition (thunderstorm). The thunderstorm, and associated wind gusts, were factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor) - weather forecast - disregarded, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot-in-command stated he obtained a weather briefing before departing on the flight and was advised of thunderstorms in the area. While airborne he observed the thunderstorm and thought it had matured and was dissipating. A short time later the thunderstorm developed and started moving towards his destination airport. He decided to make an approach to the airport, but had to abandon the approach due to the thunderstorm. He maneuvered the glider for an approach to a football field when the glider encountered a gust of wind and collided with trees and the roof of a house. ## Factual narrative On September 17, 1995, about 1500 central daylight time, a Schweizer SGU-2-22K, N2717Z, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, collided with trees while attempting to land in the vicinity of Picayune, Mississippi. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The glider was destroyed. The pilot-in- command (PIC) reported no injuries and student rated pilot reported minor injuries. The flight originated from Picayune, Mississippi, about 30 minutes before the accident. The PIC stated he obtained a weather briefing from Greenwood Flight Service Station before departing on the flight and was advised of thunderstorms in the area. While in the training area he observed a thunderstorm and believed it had matured and was dissipating. A short time later the thunderstorm started to develop and moved towards the Picayune Airport. He decided to return to the airport and make an approach to runway 23. The approach was terminated due to the thunderstorm reaching the airport first. He maneuvered the glider for an approach to a football field and was about 40 feet agl, when the glider encountered a strong wind gust and collided with the trees and the roof of a house. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2717Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2717Z), registered now, S/N 170, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGU-2-22K - Registry model: [Schweizer SGU 2-22EK](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgu-2-22ek) (registry code 8050614) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 170 - Airframe hours: 1054 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Francis K. Knippers - Registered owner: Larry Knauer - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1995, 42 hours before - Departed: PCU ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 10,196 total, 8 in this make and model, 9,880 as pilot in command, 73 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 8 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: GPT, 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 19950917029809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950917029809A), Sep 17, 1995: Scwzer SGU222EK, Picayune, MS, Destroyed. On departure thunderstorm in area, turned back. Hit trees and a house trying to land in a field. ## Other investigations on N2717Z (1) 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 MKC77FER34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC77FER34), Apr 17, 1977: Schweizer SGU2 (N2717Z), Cloquet, MN, 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.