# NTSB SEA86FA211: Schweizer SGS-2-33, N5720S, Toledo, WA, August 1, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1986, 16:07 local (23:07 UTC)
- Place: Toledo, WA
- Coordinates: 46.449733, -120.510467 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4497&lon=-120.5105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40295
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86FA211
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40295/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86FA211

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb
  - glider launch/tow equipment - disconnected (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - altitude - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE WEAK LINK AT THE TOW VEHICLE BROKE DURING LAUNCHING. THE PLT LOWERED THE NOSE OF THE ACFT AND TURNED INTO THE WIND. THE PLT STATED THAT THE ACFT WAS STALLED AND THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE DESCENT RATE. THE ACFT STRUCK THE RUNWAY IN A SLIGHT NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE WEAK LINK ROPE WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR TESTING TO DETERMINE THE STRENGTH OF THE ROPE AND ANY DEFECTS. THE PLT ASSUMED TOO HIGH OF A PITCH ANGLE TOO LOW TO THE GROUND DURING INITIAL CLIMB FOR THIS TYPE OF LAUNCH WITH THE TOW HOOK BEING FORWARD OF THE ACFT'S C.G. BEING APPROXIMATELY 150 FT AGL WHEN THE STALL OCCURRED, THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO FULLY RECOVER PRIOR TO CONTACTING THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5720S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5720S-2002-08-21), registration cancelled 2002-08-21, S/N 65, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS-2-33
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 2-33](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-2-33) (registry code 8051604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 65
- Airframe hours: 1300
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Civil Air Patrol, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 2, 1986, 2 hours before
- Airport: TDO, Toledo

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 11,022 total, 302 in this make and model, 10,702 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19860801083839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860801083839A), Aug 1, 1986: Scwzer SGS233, Toldeo, WA, Substantial damage. The glider made a hard landing after tow rope failure. The pilot pulled up abruptly during auto tow takeoff.

## Other investigations on N5720S (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 SEA98TA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98TA156), Aug 2, 1998: Schweizer SGS 2-33 (N5720S), Ephrata, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot-in-command's failure to maintain control of the aircraft during the landing. Contributing factors were panic and inadequate initial training.

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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