Schweizer SGS 2-33A N2637H
8 January 1990 · Kutztown, Pennsylvania, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 8 January 1990 at about 18:30 local time, a Schweizer SGS 2-33A registered N2637H, operated by Kutztown Aviation Service, Inc., was involved in an accident near Kutztown, Pennsylvania, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 18:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Kutztown, Pennsylvania, United States
- Nearest airport
- Kutztown (N31)
- Coordinates
- 40.5198, -75.7697
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGS 2-33A
- Registration
- N2637H
- Category
- Glider
- Operator
- Kutztown Aviation Service, Inc.
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- NYC90LA046
People
1 person had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Probable cause
IMPROPER 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 PILOTS.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOT PERFORMED A PRETAKEOFF INSPECTION OF THE GLIDER, BOARDED AND BELTED IN A PASSENGER, AND HOOKED THE GLIDER TO THE TOW PLANE. HE THEN ENTERED THE GLIDER AND SIGNALED TO THE TOW PLANE THAT HE WAS READY FOR TAKEOFF. HOWEVER, HE NOTICED AN IMBALANCE IN TRAVEL OF THE LEFT RUDDER, OPENED THE COCKPIT AND SIGNALED THAT HE WAS ABORTING THE FLIGHT. HE WAITED MOMENTARILY TO ASSURE HIMSELF THAT THE TOW PILOT HAD GOTTEN THE SIGNAL; WHEN THERE WAS INACTION ON THE PART OF THE TOW PILOT, THE GLIDER PILOT EXITED THE COCKPIT TO VISUALLY INSPECT THE RUDDER AREA. WHILE THE GLIDER PILOT WAS OUT OF THE COCKPIT AND THE PASSENGER IN THE REAR SEAT, THE TOW PILOT INITIATED A TAKEOFF. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE TOW PILOT RELEASED THE GLIDER AND IT CRASHED IN A TRAILER PARK.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Schweizer SGS-2 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Apr 1990 | Schweizer SGS 2-33A | Morgan, Utah, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 21 Jul 1990 | Schweizer SGS-2-33A | Gt. Barrington, Massachusetts, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 8 Jul 1990 | Schweizer SGS 2-33A | Norman, Oklahoma, United States | Paul P. Bartlett | No injuries | - |
| 19 Aug 1989 | Schweizer SGS-2-32 | Plymouth, Connecticut, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 3 Dec 1989 | Schweizer SGS-2-33A | Waynesville, Ohio, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 26 Oct 1991 | Schweizer SGS 2-33A | Waynesboro, Virginia, United States | Ridge Valley Soaring Club | Minor injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Jul 1990 | Aeronca 7BCM | Doylestown, Pennsylvania, United States | Edward Cole | No injuries | - |
| 16 Jul 1990 | Piper PA-23-150 | Radnow Township, Pennsylvania, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 22 Jul 1990 | Cessna 340A | Prospect, Pennsylvania, United States | Brennan Aviation Corp. | No injuries | - |
| 26 Jul 1990 | Cessna 180 | Hilltown, Pennsylvania, United States | JOE A. Bawduniak | Minor injuries | - |
| 2 Aug 1990 | Piper PA-28-151 | Mt Pocono, Pennsylvania, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 4 Aug 1990 | Piper PA-28-140 | Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania, United States | Raymond L. Corper | No injuries | - |