# NTSB SEA85LA002: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N5786S, Hood River, OR, October 4, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 4, 1984, 10:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Hood River, OR
- Coordinates: 45.609508, -121.580436 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6095&lon=-121.5804&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: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40073
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40073/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA002

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb
  - miscellaneous (cause)
  - glider launch/tow equipment - other
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot of other aircraft
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AT ABOUT 150 FT AGL ON CLIMB OUT, THE TOW PLANE LOST POWER FOR AN UNSPECIFIED REASON. THE GLIDER PILOT RELEASED THE TOW AND EXECUTED A 180 DEGREE COURSE REVERSAL TO A DOWNWIND (15 KTS) LANDING. DURING ROLL OUT, THE LEFT WING CONTACTED THE GROUND, CAUSING AN INADVERTANT GROUND LOOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5786S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5786S), registered now, S/N 115, built 1968 (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: 115
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph Deem
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 4S2, HOOD RIVER, OR
- Destination: 4S2, HOOD RIVER, OR
- Airport: 4S2, Hood River, runway 24, 3,040 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; student, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 7,000 total, 2 in this make and model, 192 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °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 19841004055229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841004055229A), Oct 4, 1984: Scwzer SGS233A, Hood River, OR, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing after releasing from tow plane because of emergency.

## Other investigations on N5786S (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 WPR25LA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA138), Apr 19, 2025: Schweizer SGS 2-33A (N5786S), Hood River, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight.

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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