# NTSB NYC88LA206: Schweizer SGS 1-34, N65920, Kutztown, PA, August 7, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 7, 1988, 11:40 local (15:40 UTC)
- Place: Kutztown, PA
- Coordinates: 40.519363, -75.769515 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5194&lon=-75.7695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36202
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA206
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36202/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA206

## Probable cause

LOSS OF CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF AFTER THE CANOPY CAME OPEN. CONTRIBUTING WAS THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO PROPERLY CLOSE THE CANOPY PRIOR TO TAKEOFF.

## 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
  - window,canopy - open
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE SCHWEIZER 1-34 GLIDER WAS BEING TOWED ALOFT BY A POWERED AIRCRAFT WHEN THE CANOPY OF THE GLIDER CAME OPEN IN FLIGHT. THE PILOT TRIED TO LOCK THE CANOPY, HOWEVER HE LOST CONTROL AND THE GLIDER PITCHED UP. THE TOW PLANE WAS PLACED IN NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AND HE RELEASED THE GLIDER. THE GLIDER IMPACTED ON THE RUNWAY IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N65920](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65920-1990-07-20), registration cancelled 1990-07-20, S/N 90 (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)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 90
- Airframe hours: 916
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kutztown Aviation Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 1988, 34 hours before
- Airport: N31, Kutztown, runway 17, 1,930 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 16; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 43 total, 1 in this make and model, 7 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19880807034989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880807034989A), Aug 7, 1988: Scwzer SGS134, Kutztown, PA, Substantial damage. Canopy came open on glider tow. Failed to hold position behind tow plane. Was cut loose and hit runway nose down.

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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