# NTSB NYC89LA018: Schweizer 1-35C, N2737H, Methuen, MA, October 9, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 9, 1988, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Methuen, MA
- Location: 42.7426° N, 71.1786° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Methuen, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7426&lon=-71.1786&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36327
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36327/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA018

## Probable cause

PILOT UNCONTROLLED CONTACT WITH A TREE DURING A LANDING AFTER THE PILOT FAILED TO CONNECT HIS AILERON CONTROLS AND ACCEPTED A TOW TO GET AIRBORNE.

## 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
  - flt control syst,aileron control - not installed (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE FAILED TO CONNECT HIS AILERONS WHEN HE ASSEMBLED THE GLIDER. HE DID NOT MAKE A FLIGHT CONTROL CHECK AND ACCEPTED AN AERO TOW TO GET AIRBORNE. AFTER AIRBORNE, HE DISCOVERED THE MISTAKE AND STAYED ATTACHED UNTIL 1500 FEET AT WHICH TIME HE RELEASED. HE SAID TURBULENCE CAUSED THE GLIDER TO ENTER A SPIRAL AND WHEN HE RECOVERED, HE WAS TOO LOW TO MAKE A FIELD. HE SAID HE STRUCK A TREE ON APPROACH AND FLIPPED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2737H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 1-35C
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 67
- Airframe hours: 79
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John Gould
- Registered owner: John J Gould
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 23, 1987, 44 hours before
- Departed: SALEM, MA
- Airport: New England Gliderport, runway 32, 1,800 × 0 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: center; flight hours: 262 total, 43 in this make and model, 206 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 10 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19881009058779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881009058779A), Oct 9, 1988: Scwzer SGS135C, Methuen, MA, Substantial damage. Towed off without connecting aileron control. Released, lost control,recovered too low and struck a tree landing.

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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