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NTSB Report
January 8, 1990 · Schweizer SGS 2-33A · N2637H
Kutztown, PA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 8, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Kutztown, PA
Aircraft
Schweizer SGS 2-33A
Tail Number
N2637H
Operator
Kutztown Aviation Service
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC90LA046
THE PILOT PERFORMED A PRETAKEOFF INSPECTION OF THE GLIDER, BOARDED AND BELTED IN A PASSENGER, AND HOOKED THE GLIDER TO THE TOW PLANE. HE THEN ENTERED THE GLIDER AND SIGNALED TO THE TOW PLANE THAT HE WAS READY FOR TAKEOFF. HOWEVER, HE NOTICED AN IMBALANCE IN TRAVEL OF THE LEFT RUDDER, OPENED THE COCKPIT AND SIGNALED THAT HE WAS ABORTING THE FLIGHT. HE WAITED MOMENTARILY TO ASSURE HIMSELF THAT THE TOW PILOT HAD GOTTEN THE SIGNAL; WHEN THERE WAS INACTION ON THE PART OF THE TOW PILOT, THE GLIDER PILOT EXITED THE COCKPIT TO VISUALLY INSPECT THE RUDDER AREA. WHILE THE GLIDER PILOT WAS OUT OF THE COCKPIT AND THE PASSENGER IN THE REAR SEAT, THE TOW PILOT INITIATED A TAKEOFF. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE TOW PILOT RELEASED THE GLIDER AND IT CRASHED IN A TRAILER PARK.
NTSB Probable Cause
IMPROPER DECISION OF THE GLIDER PILOT TO EXIT THE GLIDER WITHOUT POSITIVE ASSURANCE THAT THE TOW PILOT HAD RECEIVED HIS SIGNAL OR THAT THE GLIDER WAS RELEASED FROM THE TOW PLANE. A RELATED FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE LACK OF CREW COORDINATION BETWEEN THE PILOTS.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT PERFORMED A PRETAKEOFF INSPECTION OF THE GLIDER, BOARDED AND BELTED IN A PASSENGER, AND HOOKED THE GLIDER TO THE TOW PLANE. HE THEN ENTERED THE GLIDER AND SIGNALED TO THE TOW PLANE THAT HE WAS READY FOR TAKEOFF. HOWEVER, HE NOTICED AN IMBALANCE IN TRAVEL OF THE LEFT RUDDER, OPENED THE COCKPIT AND SIGNALED THAT HE WAS ABORTING THE FLIGHT. HE WAITED MOMENTARILY TO ASSURE HIMSELF THAT THE TOW PILOT HAD GOTTEN THE SIGNAL; WHEN THERE WAS INACTION ON THE PART OF THE TOW PILOT, THE GLIDER PILOT EXITED THE COCKPIT TO VISUALLY INSPECT THE RUDDER AREA. WHILE THE GLIDER PILOT WAS OUT OF THE COCKPIT AND THE PASSENGER IN THE REAR SEAT, THE TOW PILOT INITIATED A TAKEOFF. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE TOW PILOT RELEASED THE GLIDER AND IT CRASHED IN A TRAILER PARK.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 EST
Nearest AirportKUTZTOWN (0nm N)
Runway17
Runway Length1930 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftSchweizer SGS 2-33A
Tail NumberN2637H
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorKutztown Aviation Service
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 57 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 10 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO