# NTSB NYC88LA159: Schweizer SGS-2-33, N1240S, Erwinna, PA, June 5, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 5, 1988, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Erwinna, PA
- Coordinates: 40.490066, -75.080711 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4901&lon=-75.0807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36163
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36163/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA159

## Probable cause

ACCIDENT WAS A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING WHICH FOLLOWED A HARD LANDING. CONTRIBUTING WAS THE IMPROPER USE OF SPOILER CONTROL BY THE PRIVATE PILOT AND THE FAILURE OF THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR TO ADEQUATELY SUPERVISE THE ACTIONS OF THE PRIVATE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, dual student (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT (CFI) RPRTD THAT WHEN HE & THE PRIVATE PLT WERE LANDING, FULL SPOILERS WERE USED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE GLIDER SETTLED VERY RAPIDLY, TOUCHED DOWN HARD, BOUNCED, AND THE RIGHT WING DROPPED. THE GLIDER THEN TURNED ABOUT 70 DEG TO THE RIGHT, WENT DOWN AN INCLINE & HIT TREES. THE CFI RPRTD THE WIND WAS FROM 300 DEG AT 18 GUSTING 26 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1240S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1240S-1989-03-02), registration cancelled 1989-03-02, S/N 222 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS-2-33
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-2-33a) (registry code 8051606) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 222
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Country Aviation
- Registered owner: Bernard C. Tierney
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 9N1
- Destination: 9N1
- Airport: 9N1, Vansant, runway 23, 1,340 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 5,123 total, 492 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 18 knots, gusting 26
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19880605018409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880605018409A), Jun 5, 1988: Scwzer SGS233, Erwinna, PA, Substantial damage. Used spoilers on final in severe gusty wind. Settled fast,hit hard, caught a wing. Left runway downhill into trees.

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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