Skip to content

NTSB investigations: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, PA

25 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Schweizer SGS 2-33A. Aircraft are matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model, so older matches can be wrong.

Defining event

Finding

Phase of flight

Aircraft model

Cases per year

19702026

Where

Latest cases

Query with SQL

SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c."eventStateOrRegion" = 'PA' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA' AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('8051606')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

duckdb -csv -c "SELECT c.\"ntsbNumber\", c.\"eventDate\", c.\"eventType\", c.\"eventCity\", c.\"eventStateOrRegion\", a.n_number, a.\"aircraftMake\", a.\"aircraftModel\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\", c.\"totalFatal\", c.\"completionStatus\", c.report_url
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c.\"mKey\" AND a.position = 1
  WHERE c.\"eventStateOrRegion\" = 'PA' AND c.\"eventCountry\" = 'USA'
    AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('8051606'))
  ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."eventStateOrRegion" = 'PA' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('8051606'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.

NTSB ERA22LA407Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSchweizer SGS 2-33A · Mount Bethel, PAThe glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions, where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight resulting in an off-airport landing and collision with powerlines.Sep 3, 2022 · N17867 · Substantial damage NTSB ERA13CA352Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchweizer SGS 2-33A · Erwinna, PAThe student pilot's improper altitude and energy management in the landing pattern which resulted in the glider impacting a tree and landing short of the runway.Aug 4, 2013 · N1211S · Substantial damage NTSB ERA13LA229Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS 2-33A · Erwinna, PAThe pilot’s loss of glider control due to improper rigging of the rudder control cables, the mechanic’s inadequate flight control checks following the glider’s most recent annual inspection, and the pilot’s failure to perform a thorough preflight inspection.May 4, 2013 · N2045T · Substantial damage NTSB BFO95LA015Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS 2-33A · Hilltown, PAImproper in-flight planning decision by the pilot, which resulted in insufficient altitude to maintain clearance from trees.Nov 19, 1994 · N33938 · Substantial damage NTSB BFO93LA161Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS2-33A · Eighty Four, PAThe pilot's utilization of improper procedures for setting the altimeter which led to his misjudging altitude.Sep 6, 1993 · N34367 · Substantial damage NTSB NYC90LA046Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS 2-33A · Kutztown, PAImproper decision of the glider pilot to exit the glider without positive assurance that the tow pilot had received his signal or that the glider was released from the tow plane. A related factor to the accident was: the lack of crew coordination between the…Jan 8, 1990 · N2637H · Substantial damage NTSB NYC88LA159Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS-2-33 · Erwinna, PAAccident was a loss of directional control during landing which followed a hard landing. Contributing was the improper use of spoiler control by the private pilot and the failure of the flight instructor to adequately supervise the actions of the private…Jun 5, 1988 · N1240S · Substantial damage NTSB NYC86LA137Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS-2-32A · Kurtztown, PAAfter flying in thermals for about 45 minutes, the plts returned to the arpt to land. The instructor (CFI) stated they came over the initial approach point at about 1000 ft for a landing on runway 30. The glider passed over the end of the runway at about 150…May 19, 1986 · N2979H · Substantial damage NTSB NYC84LA211Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS 2-33 · Perkasie, PAThe sailplane lost lift and during a forced landing wires were spotted on the approach. In attempting to fly under the wires the acft was flown into an embankment.Jun 16, 1984 · N7556 · Substantial damage NTSB NYC83LA154Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer 2-33 · Freeport, PAThe glider collided with a fence during landing. The glider had experienced loss of lift shortly after a release from tow at 2500 ft AGL. Heavy sink and alt loss was encountered and continued. The pilot started a long straight in final approach to land but it…Jun 5, 1983 · N65859 · Substantial damage NTSB NYC83LA099Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS-2-33A · Erwinna, PAThe glider was on a dual instructional flight for landing practice. On the final approach to landing the glider lost lift after experiencing excessive sink and clipped the tops of trees. The glider landed short of the intended area and the wings and nose of…Apr 17, 1983 · N2706H · Substantial damage NTSB NYC82DA183Accident · No injuriesFinal reportSchweizer SGS-2-33A · Eighty Four, PAThe tow line released at 40 feet AGL in a glider tow launch. The glider pilot tried to land on the runway but landed adjacent to it and collided with a tree which ground-looped the glider. The tow hitch mechanism was broken off at the tubing cluster & was…Jul 31, 1982 · N7774S · Substantial damage NTSB NYC82DHA06Accident · Minor injuriesClosedSchweizer SGS2 · Kutztown, PAOct 24, 1981 · N2979H · Substantial damage NTSB NYC79FHA06Accident · No injuriesClosedSchweizer 2-33A · Kutztown, PADec 23, 1978 · N2056T · Substantial damage NTSB NYC78FGM49Accident · Serious injuriesClosedSchweizer 2-33 · Freeport, PASep 2, 1978 · N33941 · Substantial damage NTSB NYC78FHA01Accident · No injuriesClosedSchweizer 2-33 · Beltzville, PAOct 15, 1977 · N1196S · Substantial damage NTSB NYC77FGT13Accident · No injuriesClosedSchweizer 2-33A · Philipsburg, PAMar 25, 1977 · N5758S · Minor damage NTSB NYC77FHA15Accident · No injuriesClosedSchweizer SGS233 · Erwinna, PAFeb 16, 1977 · N33993 · Substantial damage NTSB NYC76FHA44Accident · No injuriesClosedSchweizer SGS233 · Kutztown, PAAug 1, 1976 · N33920 · Substantial damage NTSB NYC76DHD15Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 150L · West Chester, PADec 28, 1975 · N1240Q · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage NTSB NYC74DHA07Accident · No injuriesClosedSchweizer SGS233 · Erwinna, PAAug 24, 1973 · N1241S · Substantial damage NTSB NYC73DHD21Accident · No injuriesClosedSchweizer SG233A · West Chester, PAJan 6, 1973 · N7609 · Substantial damage NTSB NYC73DHA02Accident · No injuriesClosedSchweizer 233A · Erwinna, PAJul 15, 1972 · N1241S · Substantial damage NTSB NYC72FHA16Accident · No injuriesClosedSchweizer SGS233 · Erwinna, PASep 21, 1971 · N1205S · Substantial damage NTSB NYC71DHA18Accident · No injuriesClosedSchweizer SGS233 · Kutztown, PASep 17, 1970 · N7543 · Substantial damage