# NTSB NYC92DGT01: Schempp-Hirth Discus BT, N224WT, Julian, PA, April 5, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1992, 16:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Julian, PA
- Coordinates: 40.910133, -77.929138 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9101&lon=-77.9291&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37032
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92DGT01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37032/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92DGT01

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT USE OF THE SPEED BRAKES, WHICH RESULTED IN AN EXCESSIVE RATE OF DESCENT. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - speed brakes - inadvertent use, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

WITNESSES NOTICED THE SPEED BRAKES WERE DEPLOYED, WHILE THE GLIDER WAS BEING TOWED DURING TAKEOFF AND CLIMB.  ATTEMPTS TO RADIO THE PILOT AND ALERT HIM OF THE SPEED BRAKE POSITION WERE UNSUCCESSFUL.  THE GLIDER WAS RELEASED AT 2900 FEET, AND IT DESCENDED WITH THE SPEED BRAKES STILL DEPLOYED.  THE PILOT TRIED TO RETURN AND LAND, BUT DID NOT REACH THE GLIDERPORT.  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE GLIDER STRUCK A TREE AND WAS DAMAGED AS THE PILOT WAS MAKING AN OFF GLIDERPORT LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N224WT (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SCHEMPP-HIRTH DISCUS BT
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 65
- Engines: KLEINMOTOREN SOLO 2350 reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pioti Turosienski
- Registered owner: Pioti Turosienski
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 79N, UNIONVILLE, PA
- Destination: 79N

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; seat: center; flight hours: 176 total, 9 in this make and model, 170 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: UNV, 5 nm away

## 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 19920405008749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920405008749A), Apr 5, 1992: Schemp DISCUSB, Julian, PA, Destroyed. Crashed on landing at a gliderport. Motorized glider but engine not in use.

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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