# NTSB SEA87LA071: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N33924, Issaquah, WA, March 29, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 28, 1987, 17:15 local (Mar 29, 1987, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Issaquah, WA
- Coordinates: 47.500411, -121.999679 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5004&lon=-121.9997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40603
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40603/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA071

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, descent
  - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL TRAINING FLIGHT A DOWNDRAFT WAS ENCOUNTERED. AT ABOUT TWO MILES FROM THE AIRPORT THE ACFT WAS AT ABOUT 200 FEET MSL. THE INSTRUCTOR PLT DECIDED TO LAND THE ACFT ON A FIELD. ON SHORT FINAL THE ACFT STRUCK A BARBED WIRE FENCE PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N33924](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N33924-2017-03-24), registration cancelled 2017-03-24, S/N 414, 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
- Serial number: 414
- Airframe hours: 1886
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Linn Emrich
- Registered owner: Linn Emrich
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 1, 1987, 15 hours before
- Departed: 3WA1, ISSAQUAH, WA
- Airport: 3WA1, Seattle Skyport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; flight instructor, commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 481 total, 312 in this make and model, 405 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °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 19870328007649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870328007649A), Mar 28, 1987: Scwzer SGS233A, Issaquah, WA, Substantial damage. The glider encountered a downdraft crossing a ridge. The glider struck a fence during the off airport landing.

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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