# NTSB SEA85LA118: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N65907, Wenatchee, WA, May 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1985, 17:00 local (May 20, 1985, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Wenatchee, WA
- Coordinates: 47.368999, -120.350151 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3690&lon=-120.3502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40162
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40162/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA118

## Sequence of events

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

- Forced landing, descent - normal
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE RETURNING TO THE ARPT TO LAND, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED STRONG DOWNDRAFTS OF 600 TO 800 FPM. AN OFF ARPT LANDING WAS MADE AND WHILE TURNING FROM BASE TO FINAL, THE LEFT WING TIP STRUCK THE GROUND. A GROUNDLOOP THEN OCCURRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N65907](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65907-2018-03-06), registration cancelled 2018-03-06, S/N 364, built 1974 (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: 364
- Airframe hours: 1275
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cascade Soaring Society, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1984
- Departed: EAT, WENATCHEE, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; medical: unknown; seat: rear; flight hours: 270 total, 200 in this make and model, 250 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EAT, 3 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 19850519018169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850519018169A), May 19, 1985: Scwzer SGS233A, Wenatchee, WA, Substantial damage. Developed high sink rate while returning to airport. Turning final for off airport landing wingtip struck ground.

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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