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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

May 30, 1996 · Schweizer SGS233A · N1197S

Franklinton, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 30, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Franklinton, NC
Aircraft
Schweizer SGS233A
Tail Number
N1197S
Operator
John Wiliam Styer
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL96LA089

The instructor pilot stated that the student pilot was operating the aircraft controls during the landing approach. The glider started to drift right of the runway centerline. As the glider drifted farther, the instructor took over the controls. He reported having full deflection of the flight controls to counteract the drift, but the glider continued to drift. The right wing tip of the glider then hit trees, and the glider spun until it came to rest in the trees approximately ten feet off the ground. The instructor pilot reported that the trees are about 25 feet from the edge of the runway.

NTSB Probable Cause

the failure of the instructor pilot to maintain control of the aircraft.

Full Narrative

On May 30, 1996, about 1420 eastern daylight time, a Schweizer SGS233A glider, N1197S, was substantially damaged following a collision with trees during a landing approach at the North Raleigh airport, Franklinton, North Carolina. Neither the instructor pilot nor the student pilot were injured in the accident. The glider was being operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the instructional flight. The flight originated at the Franklinton airport approximately 1400 eastern daylight time. The instructor pilot stated the student pilot was operating the aircraft controls during the landing approach. The glider started to drift right of the runway centerline. As the glider drifted farther, the instructor took over the flight controls. He reported having full deflection of the flight controls to counteract the drift, but the glider continued to drift. The right wing tip of the glider then hit trees, and the glider spun until it came to rest in the trees approximately ten feet off the ground. The instructor pilot reports that the trees are about 25 feet from the edge of the runway.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:20 EDT
Nearest AirportNorth Raleigh (0nm)
Runway5
Runway Length2600 ft
Runway Width36 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchweizer SGS233A
Tail NumberN1197S
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJohn Wiliam Styer
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 53 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 12 kt, gusting 18 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 43 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data