# NTSB NYC85LA254: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N33920, Preble, NY, September 29, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 29, 1985, 13:10 local (17:10 UTC)
- Place: Preble, NY
- Coordinates: 42.729709, -76.139595 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7297&lon=-76.1396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30156
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA254
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30156/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA254

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)

## Analysis

A SCHWEIZER N33920, COLLIDED WITH A UTILITY POLE WHILE EXECUTING A GO AROUND AT PREBLE AIRPORT, NY. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED. THE PLT AND PASSENGER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. THE PLT STATED THAT THE FIRST TWO FLIGHTS WERE UNEVENTFUL, BUT NOTICED THE STALL SPEED WAS HIGHER THAN USUAL AND SEEMED TO BE ENTERING A STALL AT A HIGHER SPEED THAN IS RECOMMENDED IN THE MANUAL. APPLYING SPOILERS DID NOT CORRECT THE AIRSPEED,. THE PLT SAID THAT HE MIGHT HAVE BEEN PULLINGTHE TRIM TAB CONTROL INSTEAD OF THE SPOILERS. ON THE LANDING THE ACFT BOUNCED. ON PULLUP THE LEFT WING TIP STRUCK A POLE. THE ACFT LANDED IN TREES, THEN SLID FLATLY TO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N33920](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N33920-2014-10-02), registration cancelled 2014-10-02, S/N 410, built 1975 (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: 410
- Airframe hours: 1637
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lynn Samuelson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 25, 1985, 97 hours before
- Departed: THERMAL RIDGE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 787 total, 12 in this make and model, 674 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 64 °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 19850929047979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850929047979A), Sep 29, 1985: Scwzer SGS233A, Preble, NY, Destroyed. Collided with utility pole during go around. Pilot was pulling trim tab control rather than spoilers.

## Other investigations on N33920 (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 NYC76FHA44](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC76FHA44), Aug 1, 1976: Schweizer SGS233 (N33920), Kutztown, PA, 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.