Schweizer SGS-233A N7773S

Summary

On 3 May 1996 at about 14:25 local time, a Schweizer SGS-233A registered N7773S was involved in an accident near Odessa, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 May 1996 at 14:25

Classification

Accident

Location

Odessa, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Eagles Nest Gliderport (TE33)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Schweizer SGS-233A

Registration

N7773S

Category

Glider

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Not recorded

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW96LA201

1 person was seriously injured.

the pilot's failure to obtain the required airspeed resulting in a hard landing. A factor was the lack of thermal lift.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The FAA inspector (pilot-in-command) was receiving a flight check to remove the commercial pilot 'aero tow only' limitation by completing several ground tow launches. Following five successful ground tow launches, the FAA inspector administering the flight check conducted a discussion to review emergency procedures with the applicant. During the sixth ground tow launch, when the airspeed had accelerated to 45 knots, the pitch attitude had attained 45 degrees, at an altitude of about 160 feet above the ground, the FAA inspector administering the flight check, released the tow line to abort the launch. The FAA inspector (PIC) receiving the flight check pushed the glider nose forward; however, the airspeed did not increase to the 50 knots needed for a landing flare. The glider landed hard, bounced, and subsequently touched down on the runway. Both pilots reported that the glider encountered 'a pocket of sinking air.'

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.