# NTSB NYC90LA046: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N2637H, Kutztown, PA, January 8, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 8, 1990, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Kutztown, PA
- Coordinates: 40.519847, -75.769668 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5198&lon=-75.7697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36595
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36595/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA046

## Probable cause

IMPROPER DECISION OF THE GLIDER PILOT TO EXIT THE GLIDER WITHOUT POSITIVE ASSURANCE THAT THE TOW PILOT HAD RECEIVED HIS SIGNAL OR THAT THE GLIDER WAS RELEASED FROM THE TOW PLANE. A RELATED FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE LACK OF CREW COORDINATION BETWEEN THE PILOTS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff
  - abort - initiated, pilot in command
  - crew/group coordination - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - crew/group coordination - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor)
  - communications - not received, pilot of other aircraft
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PILOT PERFORMED A PRETAKEOFF INSPECTION OF THE GLIDER, BOARDED AND BELTED IN A PASSENGER, AND HOOKED THE GLIDER TO THE TOW PLANE.  HE THEN ENTERED THE GLIDER AND SIGNALED TO THE TOW PLANE THAT HE WAS READY FOR TAKEOFF.  HOWEVER, HE NOTICED AN IMBALANCE IN TRAVEL OF THE LEFT RUDDER, OPENED THE COCKPIT AND SIGNALED THAT HE WAS ABORTING THE FLIGHT.  HE WAITED MOMENTARILY TO ASSURE HIMSELF THAT THE TOW PILOT HAD GOTTEN THE SIGNAL; WHEN THERE WAS INACTION ON THE PART OF THE TOW PILOT, THE GLIDER PILOT EXITED THE COCKPIT TO VISUALLY INSPECT THE RUDDER AREA.  WHILE THE GLIDER PILOT WAS OUT OF THE COCKPIT AND THE PASSENGER IN THE REAR SEAT, THE TOW PILOT INITIATED A TAKEOFF.  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE TOW PILOT RELEASED THE GLIDER AND IT CRASHED IN A TRAILER PARK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2637H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2637H), registered now, S/N 447, built 1976 (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: 447
- Airframe hours: 1774
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kutztown Aviation Service,Inc.
- Registered owner: Kutztown Aviation Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 1989, 79 hours before
- Airport: N31, Kutztown, runway 17, 1,930 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; flight hours: 3,000 total, 30 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Temperature: 45 °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 19900108020139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900108020139A), Jan 8, 1990: Scwzer SGS232, Kutztown, PA, Substantial damage. Tow plane pilot did not see glider pilot cancel tow while he got out to check rudder. Glider towed with passenger.

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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