# NTSB NYC86LA189: Schweizer SGS-2-33A, N33985, Plymouth, MA, July 22, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1986, 14:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Plymouth, MA
- Location: 41.9088° N, 70.7276° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at PLYMOUTH MUNI (PYM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9088&lon=-70.7276&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30388
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86LA189
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30388/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86LA189

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE TOW WAS RELEASED FROM THE GLIDER WHEN ITS NOSE STARTED RISING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE GLIDER THENCOLLIDED WITH THE GROUND & WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE PLT RPRTED THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED BY MORE INFO &EMPHASIS ON THE CENTER OF GRAVITY PLACEMENT & USE OF BALLAST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N33985](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N33985-2013-10-23), registration cancelled 2013-10-23, S/N 395, 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: 395
- Engines: unknown UNK unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Plymouth Soaring
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Airport: PYM, Plymouth, runway 6, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,213 total, 12 in this make and model, 1,420 as pilot in command, 212 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °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 19860722038619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860722038619A), Jul 22, 1986: Scwzer SGS233, Plymouth, MA, Substantial damage. The glider became unstable in pitch during liftoff. Pilot released the tow and landed hard. Suspect aft CG.

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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