# NTSB NYC93LA084: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N33929, Buchanan, VA, April 17, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1993, 15:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Buchanan, VA
- Coordinates: 37.519062, -79.679153 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5191&lon=-79.6792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37309
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37309/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA084

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION, INADEQUATE CREW COORDINATION, AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE UNFAVORABLE WIND AND PROXIMITY OF OBSTRUCTIONS WERE RELATED FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - crew/group coordination - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - object - building(nonresidential) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS DEMONSTRATING A GLIDER TAKEOFF TO THE PASSENGER.  THERE WAS CONFUSION ABOUT WHO WAS ACTUALLY ON THE CONTROLS FOR TAKEOFF, THE PILOT OR THE PASSENGER.  THE WIND WAS A QUARTERING LEFT TAILWIND AT 13 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 17 KNOTS.  DURING THE GROUND RUN, THE RIGHT WING DRAGGED ON THE GROUND AND DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST.  THE PILOT IN COMMAND TRIED TO REGAIN CONTROL, BUT THE WING STRUCK A PARKED VEHICLE AND A BUILDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N33929](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N33929), registered now, S/N 411, built 1975 (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
- Airframe hours: 1200
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ridge Valley Soaring Club
- Registered owner: Ridge Valley Soaring Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1992, 15 hours before
- Departed: 08VA
- Destination: 08VA
- Airport: 08VA, Springwood Airport, runway 9, 1,500 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,717 total, 50 in this make and model, 3,500 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2.5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 13 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °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 19930417009629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930417009629A), Apr 17, 1993: Scwzer SGS233A, Buchanan, VA, Substantial damage. Wind gust lifted gliders wing on takeoff tow. Veered into vehicle and building. Believed pilot passenger on controls

## Other investigations on N33929 (1)

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.

- [NTSB ERA21LA248](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA248), Jun 13, 2021: Schweizer SGS 2-33A (N33929), Nellysford, VA, no damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate glide path to the runway.

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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