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NTSB Report

May 29, 2000 · Schweizer SGS 2-33A · N1225S

Sterling, MA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 29, 2000
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Sterling, MA
Aircraft
Schweizer SGS 2-33A
Tail Number
N1225S
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
IAD00LA046

The pilot entered a right traffic pattern for Runway 16. At the midfield point, on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, the glider was 1,000 feet above the ground, and the pilot extended the spoilers. The base leg of the traffic pattern was performed about 700 feet above the ground. When the glider was turned onto the final approach, the right wing was kept down and left rudder was applied to initiate a slip. The pilot determined the slip was ineffective, rolled the glider level for a moment, and then entered the slip again. The glider touched down '90% down the runway,' and traveled off the end. The glider became airborne again, turned to the right, and touched down a second time on a road. The glider impacted several road signs with both wings, before turning 180 degrees and coming to rest. The pilot stated that the reason for the accident was an 'ineffective slip.'

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to attain a proper touchdown point.

Full Narrative

On May 29, 2000, about 1330 Eastern Daylight Time, a Schweizer SGS 2-33A Glider, N1225S, was substantially damaged during landing at the Sterling Airport (3B3), Sterling, Massachusetts. The student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the student pilot, he took off from 3B3 and was towed to an altitude of 2,700 feet. He reported the weather was "fairly cloudy," and he "could not find any lift." After approximately 15 minutes, the pilot returned to the airport and performed two 360 degree turns to enter a right traffic pattern for Runway 16. At an altitude of 1,200 feet above the ground, the pilot noticed the glider was higher than it should be. At the midfield point, on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, the glider was 1,000 feet above the ground, and the pilot extended the spoilers. The base leg of the traffic pattern was performed about 700 feet above the ground. When the glider was turned onto the final approach, the right wing was kept down and left rudder was applied to initiate a slip. The student pilot further stated, "I didn't feel the usual vibrations or hear the usual noise that I'm used to hearing when I slip the airplane." He rolled the glider level for a moment, and then entered the slip again. After flying past "10-20%" of the 3,010 foot long runway, the pilot felt the slip wasn't working, and straightened out the glider. The glider touched down "90% down the runway," and the pilot realized his speed was too fast. The glider became airborne again, turned to the right, and touched down a second time on a road located about 10 feet below the runway elevation. The glider proceeded through an embankment and hit several road signs with both wings, before turning 180 degrees and coming to rest. The pilot stated that the winds were not a factor in the accident. He reported that a check of the wind sock before takeoff revealed it was "barely off the pole." The pilot additionally stated the reason for the accident was an "ineffective slip." A Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the glider, reported that the skid mount under the nose was broken, the tailwheel was broken, and both wings displayed impact damage. The winds reported at 1354, at an airport 10 miles away, were from 090 degrees at 9 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 EDT
Nearest AirportSterling Airport (0nm)
Runway16
Runway Length3010 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchweizer SGS 2-33A
Tail NumberN1225S
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 38 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 45 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data