# NTSB NYC84LA327: Schweizer SGS 2-33, N5712S, Churchton, MD, September 30, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1984, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Churchton, MD
- Coordinates: 38.810939, -76.529937 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8109&lon=-76.5299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35777
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84LA327
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35777/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84LA327

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - emergency
  - weather condition - turbulence (cause)
  - glider launch/tow equipment - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Overrun, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING GLIDER TOW CLIMBOUT, ENCOUNTER WITH THERMAL RESULTED IN MOMENTARY TOW ROPE SLACK. TOW ROPE SEPARATED IN OVERLOAD WHEN SLACK WAS TAKEN UP. GLIDER PLT SELECTED NEAREST OPEN FLD & SET UP LANDING PATTERN. ON DOWNWIND LEG, PLT NOTED OBSTRUCTIONS IN FLD, ELECTED TO DIVERT TO ANOTHER FLD STRAIGHT AHEAD & RECOGNIZED A DOWNWIND LNDG WOULD BE REQUIRED. DUE TO DOWNHILL SLOPE IN COMBINATION WITH TAILWIND, LNDG ROLL WENT BEYOND CLEAR AREA INTO HIGHER GRASS. ACFT COLLIDED WITH HIDDEN STUMP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5712S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5712S), registered now, S/N 58, built 1967 (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: 58
- Airframe hours: 980
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles W. Leatherman
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 1, 1984, 85 hours before
- Departed: CHURCHTON, MD
- Airport: ANP, Lee

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 116 total, 4 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °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 19840930052489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840930052489A), Sep 30, 1984: Scwzer SGS233, Annapolis, MD, Substantial damage. Thermal on tow allowed slack. Broke rope. Slace came out. Unable runway. Landed in field downwind overshot. Hit stum

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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