# NTSB NYC82DA183: Schweizer SGS-2-33A, N7774S, Eighty Four, PA, July 31, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1982, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Eighty Four, PA
- Coordinates: 40.17905, -80.1305 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1790&lon=-80.1305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 31, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70559
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82DA183
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70559/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82DA183

## 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 - distorted (cause)
  - glider launch/tow equipment - failure,partial (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE TOW LINE RELEASED AT 40 FEET AGL IN A GLIDER TOW LAUNCH. THE GLIDER PILOT TRIED TO LAND ON THE RUNWAY BUT LANDED ADJACENT TO IT AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE WHICH GROUND-LOOPED THE GLIDER. THE TOW HITCH MECHANISM WAS BROKEN OFF AT THE TUBING CLUSTER & WAS DISTORTED. THE TOW HITCH WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE GLIDER RELEASE CABLE ONLY & WAS IN THE CLOSED POSITION. HOWEVER, IT WAS STILL CAPABLE OF OPERATING IN ITS DISTORTED CONDITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7774S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7774S-2014-08-11), registration cancelled 2014-08-11, S/N 144, built 1969 (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: 144
- Airframe hours: 1860
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pittsburg Soaring Club
- Registered owner: Pittsburg Soaring Club
- Departed: 22D, EIGHTY FOUR, PA
- Destination: 22D, EIGHTY FOUR, PA
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: 22D, Bandel Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 70 total, 70 in this make and model, 23 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 176 °F

## 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 19820731035129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820731035129A), Jul 31, 1982: Scwzer SGS233A, Eighty Four, PA, Substantial damage. Tow hitch assembly broke off nose of glider on takeoff tow. Glider crash landed off end of runway.

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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