# NTSB NYC86LA137: Schweizer SGS-2-32A, N2979H, Kurtztown, PA, May 19, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1986, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Kurtztown, PA
- Coordinates: 40.519515, -75.769195 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5195&lon=-75.7692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30345
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86LA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30345/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86LA137

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - planning/decision - improper, dual student (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - flare - not attained, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER FLYING IN THERMALS FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES, THE PLTS RETURNED TO THE ARPT TO LAND. THE INSTRUCTOR (CFI) STATED THEY CAME OVER THE INITIAL APPROACH POINT AT ABOUT 1000 FT FOR A LANDING ON RUNWAY 30. THE GLIDER PASSED OVER THE END OF THE RUNWAY AT ABOUT 150 FEET AGL AND APRX 50 MPH. AFTER PASSING THE RUNWAY END, EXCESSIVE LIFT OCCURRED. SPOILERS AND BRAKES WERE USED, BUT TO NO AVAIL. AS THE GLIDER CONTINUED TO LAND, A LARGE SINK RATE DEVELOPED. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT CONTACTED THE GROUND, BREAKING THE SKID AND CAUSING A FLAT TIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2979H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2979H-2020-09-04), registration cancelled 2020-09-04, S/N 549, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS-2-32A
- 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: 549
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kurtztown Aviation Serv.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: N31
- Airport: N31, Kurtztown, runway 35, 2,500 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 6,426 total, 1,400 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 81 °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 19860519023259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860519023259A), May 19, 1986: Scwzer SGS233A, Kutztown, PA, Minor damage. Turbulence and downwind landing resulted in hard impact and overrunning the runway. Blew main tire and broke skid.

## Other investigations on N2979H (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 NYC82DHA06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82DHA06), Oct 24, 1981: Schweizer SGS2 (N2979H), 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.

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