# NTSB NYC87LA233: Schweizer SGS-1-34, N7653, Dansville, NY, August 15, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 15, 1987, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Dansville, NY
- Coordinates: 42.559516, -77.6893 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5595&lon=-77.6893&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 June 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30721
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA233
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30721/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA233

## 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 - improper, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - speed brakes - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT AS HE WAS ADJUSTING HIS SEAT BELT WITH THE CANOPY OPEN, THE GLIDER BEGAN BEING PULLED BY THE TOW PILOTS ACFT. HE MANEUVERED THE WING TIP CLEAR OF SOME PARKED ACFT, GRABBED THE CANOPY HATCH, AND HELD IT SHUT DURING THE TKOF. THE COCKPIT CHECK HAD NOT BEEN COMPLETED AND THE DIVE BRAKES WERE UNLOCKED AND INADVERTENTLY LEFT OPEN DURING THE TKOF. WITH THE GLIDER IN THIS CONFIGURATION, IT WOULD NOT CLIMB SO THE TOW PLT CIRCLED THE FLD AND GAVE A MANDATORY WAVE OFF SIGNAL WHILE AT ABT 400 FT. THE GLIDER PLT TURNED 180 DEGREES IN AN EFFORT TO LND DOWNWIND BUT ENTERED A STALL. DURING THE RECOVERY THE LEFT WING COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. THE GLIDER PLT STATED THAT HE SHOULD HAVE RELEASED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE BECOMING AIRBORNE. HE HAD OVER 51 HOURS LOGGED IN GLIDERS OF WHICH 6 WERE IN THE LAST 90 DAYS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7653](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7653-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 33, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS-1-34
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-34](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-34) (registry code 8050146) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Airframe hours: 1974
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Rochester Soaring Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 2, 1986
- Airport: DSV, Dansville, runway 14, 3,635 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 78 total, 35 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °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 19870815045629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870815045629A), Aug 15, 1987: Scwzer SGS134, Dansville, NY, Substantial damage. Due to misunderstanding tow took off before glider ready. Glider stalled trying to return. Recovery was too late.

## Other investigations on N7653 (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 DEN80FTE28](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN80FTE28), Feb 22, 1980: Schweizer I-34 (N7653), Colorado Spgs, CO, 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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