# NTSB MKC84FCD03: Schweizer SGU2-22E, N9920J, Ames, IA, September 16, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: September 16, 1984, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Ames, IA
- Coordinates: 42.020977, -93.619659 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0210&lon=-93.6197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33562
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC84FCD03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33562/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84FCD03

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor)
  - wind information - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE GLIDER PLT WHO HAD ONLY ABOUT 1 HOUR FLT TIME IN THIS MAKE OF GLIDER AND LESS THAN A HOUR TOTAL GLIDER TIME MISJUDGED THE WIND AND AFTER DRIFTING DOWNWIND WAS UNABLE TO MAKE IT BACK TO THE ARPT. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE OFF ARPT IN A FARM FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9920J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9920J-2018-01-17), registration cancelled 2018-01-17, S/N 248, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGU2-22E
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGU 2-22E](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgu-2-22e) (registry code 8050612) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 248
- Airframe hours: 2480
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Silent Knights, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 1984, 86 hours before
- Departed: AMW, AMES, IA
- Destination: AMW, AMES, IA
- Airport: AMW, Ames

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; student, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 250 total, 1 in this make and model, 250 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 141° at 15 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft unknown
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DSM, 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 19840916049309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840916049309A), Sep 16, 1984: Scwzer SGU222E, Ames, IA, Minor damage. Glider pilot stalled glider while trying to strech glide back to airport.

## Other investigations on N9920J (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 FTW98LA323](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA323), Jul 17, 1998: Schweizer SGU 2-22E (N9920J), Canon City, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's misjudgment of distance/altitude and his premature deployment of the spoilers, resulting in a undershoot and hard landing.

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.