Schweizer SGS 2-33 N2451W
24 March 1991 · Buchanan, Virginia, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 24 March 1991 at about 19:45 local time, a Schweizer SGS 2-33 registered N2451W, operated by Ridge & Valley Soaring Club, was involved in an accident near Buchanan, Virginia, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, 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 19:45
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Buchanan, Virginia, United States
- Nearest airport
- Springwood Gliderport
- Coordinates
- 37.5202, -79.6796
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGS 2-33
- Registration
- N2451W
- Category
- Glider
- Operator
- Ridge & Valley Soaring Club
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- BFO91LA034
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S DECISION TO ATTEMPT THE TAKEOFF WITH UNFAVORABLE WINDS.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE GLIDER WAS BEING TOWED AND DURING THE TAKEOFF CLIMB THE PILOT RELEASED FROM THE TOWPLANE. THE PILOT INDICATED HE RELEASED BECAUSE THE TOWPLANE ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT AND HE FELT THE GLIDER WOULD NOT CLEAR THE TREES AHEAD. THE GLIDER PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER HE RELEASED FROM THE TOWPLANE, HE TURNED RIGHT TO AVOID THE TREES; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO SUITABLE LANDING AREA AND THE GLIDER COLLIDED WITH THE TREES.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Schweizer SGS-2 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Oct 1991 | Schweizer SGS 2-33A | Waynesboro, Virginia, United States | Ridge Valley Soaring Club | Minor injuries | - |
| 8 Apr 1991 | Schweizer SGS 2-33A | Hemet, California, United States | Michael & Julie Venable | No injuries | - |
| 20 Oct 1991 | Schweizer SGS-2-33A | Fremont, California, United States | Fremont Sky Sailing | Serious injuries | - |
| 26 Jan 1991 | Schweizer SGS 2-33A | Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States | Mohawk Soaring Club | No injuries | - |
| 14 Nov 1991 | Schweizer SGS 2-33A | Groveland, Florida, United States | Seminole Flying & Soaring, Inc | No injuries | - |
| 4 Apr 1990 | Schweizer SGS 2-33A | Morgan, Utah, United States | - | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 May 1991 | Cessna 310D | Christiansburg, Virginia, United States | U.s. Air Salvage | Minor injuries | - |
| 25 May 1991 | Piper PA-22-150 | Danville, Virginia, United States | Eoanna K. Casey | Minor injuries | - |
| 26 May 1991 | Smith Ted Aerostar STP1 | Quinton, Virginia, United States | Walter K. Crawford, JR. | No injuries | - |
| 13 Jun 1991 | Grumman AA-1C | Union Hall, Virginia, United States | Christopher P. Nelson | No injuries | - |
| 26 Jun 1991 | Cessna 150G | Stuart, Virginia, United States | C-150 Group Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 4 Jul 1991 | Cessna 172 | South Boston, Virginia, United States | Wings & Props Flying Club | Minor injuries | - |