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NTSB Report

July 12, 1998 · Schweizer SGS 2-33A · N17901

Indianapolis, IN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 12, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Aircraft
Schweizer SGS 2-33A
Tail Number
N17901
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI98LA268

The instructor stated that when they turned base to final they were approximately 250' above ground level (agl). The CFI told the student to use 'Full' spoilers to bring the aircraft back on a normal glide path to the runway. The CFI stated that at approximately 100' agl the student had 'Full' spoilers deployed and had an excessive nose down attitude. The CFI told the student 'Close' the spoilers and bring the nose up to reduce the excessive airspeed. The CFI stated that the student began to bring the nose up, without closing the spoilers, and that he took control of the aircraft at this point. The CFI closed the spoilers completely but the aircraft was already entering a stall. The CFI stated that he reduced the angle of attack in order to regain airspeed and then flared close to the ground. The CFI stated that the aircraft 'Pancaked-in, a landing hard enough to throw me into the shoulder straps and my head down so that briefly I could not see outside.' The aircraft drifted to right side of the runway and the right wing impacted a runway light before coming to a stop.

NTSB Probable Cause

the delayed in-flight decision of the pilot in command to take control of the aircraft and the proper airspeed not obtained/maintained by the pilot in command which resulted in a stall. A factor to the accident was the runway light.

Full Narrative

On July 12, 1998, at 1100 eastern standard time (edt), a Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N17901, piloted by a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), sustained substantial damage when it collided with a taxiway light during landing roll on runway 18 (5000' x. 100', concrete, dry) at Indianapolis Terry Airport, near Indianapolis, Indiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight was not operating on a flight plan. The CFI and student reported no injuries. The local flight departed Indianapolis Terry Airport at 1055 edt. According to the pilot-in-command's written statement, he was giving dual instruction to a student pilot at the time of the accident. The CFI stated that when they were maneuvering the aircraft to enter the traffic pattern for the grass area, which parallels runway 18, he noticed that another glider was also entering the same traffic pattern. The student pilot initiated a radio transmission to the pattern traffic that they intended to execute a left pattern for the grass landing area. The CFI also made a transmission to the other glider that they were directly behind them. The CFI stated that there was no response. The CFI decided to alter their traffic pattern to land on runway 18, due to the other traffic that was ahead of their glider. The CFI stated that when they turned base to final they were approximately 250' above ground level (agl). The CFI told the student to use "Full" spoilers to bring the aircraft back on a normal glide path to the runway. The CFI stated that at approximately 100' agl the student had "Full" spoilers deployed and had an excessive nose down attitude. The CFI told the student "Close" the spoilers and bring the nose up to reduce the excessive airspeed. The CFI stated that the student began to bring the nose up, without closing the spoilers, and that he took control of the aircraft at this point. The CFI closed the spoilers completely but the aircraft was already entering a stall. The CFI stated that he reduced the angle of attack in order to regain airspeed and then flared close to the ground. The CFI stated that the aircraft "Pancaked-in, a landing hard enough to throw me into the shoulder straps and my head down so that briefly I could not see outside." The aircraft drifted to right side of the runway and the right wing impacted a runway light before coming to a stop. In the written statement by the pilot in command, the CFI stated, "My errors were not taking control earlier and not announcing to the student that I had done so when I grabbed the controls."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 EDT
Nearest AirportIndianapolis Terry Airpor (1nm N)
Runway18
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchweizer SGS 2-33A
Tail NumberN17901
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 67 · Unknown

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind110° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data