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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

April 15, 1995 · Schweizer SC2-33A · N5725S

North Adams, MA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 15, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
North Adams, MA
Aircraft
Schweizer SC2-33A
Tail Number
N5725S
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO95LA046

THE CFI REPORTED THAT THE GLIDER ENCOUNTERED A WIND GUST WHILE UNDER TOW SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, AND THE TOW ROPE SEPARATED. THE CFI REPORTED THAT HE TURNED THE GLIDER AROUND TO LAND ON THE GRASS ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY. DURING THE FORCED LANDING THE CFI INTENTIONALLY GROUND LOOPED THE AIRPLANE TO AVOID HITTING THE BLAST FENCE AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE TOW ROPE REVEALED THAT THE 220 FOOT LONG, 5/16TH INCH, YEAR OLD, YELLOW PROPYLENE ROPE BROKE ABOUT 37 FEET FROM THE TOW AIRPLANE. THE CFI STATED THAT THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF HE HAD USED A DIFFERENT TOW ROPE SYSTEM AND THAT THERE WAS NO INSPECTION PROGRAM FOR TOW ROPES.

NTSB Probable Cause

the failure of the tow rope during the initial climb. Related factors are the gusty wind conditions, the low altitude at which the failure occurred, the tailwind during the emergency landing roll, and the CFI's intentional ground loop due to the obstacle (fence) in the glider's path.

Full Narrative

On April 15, 1995, at 1300 eastern daylight time, N5725S, a Schweizer SC2-33A glider, registered to Mohawk Soaring Club Inc. of Alpus, New York, ground looped after landing at Harriman- and-West Airport in North Adams, Massachusetts. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) and the certificated private pilot (glider aero tow) were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The local, instructional flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91. The CFI reported that the certificated glider pilot had not flown consistently over the winter, and requested that the CFI accompany him on the accident flight. The CFI stated that the glider pilot handled the flight controls and maintained "...proper position behind the towplane..." but when the glider was about 250 feet above the ground, "...we encountered a wind gust...developed a minor amount of slack in the towrope. About three or four seconds after the rope became taut [again] it parted." The CFI reported that he assumed command of the glider and turned back to the airport where he performed a downwind landing on the grass strip adjacent to the runway. He stated that during the landing roll he intentionally ground looped the glider to avoid colliding with the blast fence at the end of the runway. The tow rope was examined after the accident by an FAA Safety Inspector. The examination revealed that the 220 foot long, 5/16th inch, yellow propylene rope broke about 37 feet from the tow airplane. The CFI reported that the rope was about one year old, and that he inspected the rope during his preflight inspection. He stated that there was no evidence of it coming apart. The reported wind at the time of the accident was 290 degrees at 20 knots, with gusts to 29 knots. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had used a different tow rope system, and that there was no inspection program for tow ropes.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 EDT
Nearest AirportHarriman-And-West (0nm ESE)
Runway11
Runway Length4300 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchweizer SC2-33A
Tail NumberN5725S
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 58 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 20 kt, gusting 29 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 19 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data