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NTSB Report
January 31, 1987 · Schweizer SGS 2-33 · N5727S
Marana, AZ
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 31, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Marana, AZ
Aircraft
Schweizer SGS 2-33
Tail Number
N5727S
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX87LA104
DURING A WINCH TOW, THE CABLE PREMATURELY RELEASED THE GLIDER AT APPROXIMATELY 100 TO 150 FEET. THE GLIDER REMAINED IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE MOMENTARILY THEN BEGAN A SHALLOW DESCENDING RIGHT TURN. AT APPROXIMATELY 75 FEET THE ROLL, PITCH, AND DESCENT RATE ACCELERATED. THE GLIDER COMPLETED APPROXIMATELY 140 DEGREES OF TURN THEN COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. SERVICE BULLETIN NO. SA-001 AND AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 87-02-01 WERE ADOPTED TO PREVENT THE POSSIBILITY OF AN INADVERTENT TOW-HOOK RELEASE DURING TOWING OPERATIONS. THE AD HAD NOT BEEN COMPLIED WITH AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.
Full Narrative
DURING A WINCH TOW, THE CABLE PREMATURELY RELEASED THE GLIDER AT APPROXIMATELY 100 TO 150 FEET. THE GLIDER REMAINED IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE MOMENTARILY THEN BEGAN A SHALLOW DESCENDING RIGHT TURN. AT APPROXIMATELY 75 FEET THE ROLL, PITCH, AND DESCENT RATE ACCELERATED. THE GLIDER COMPLETED APPROXIMATELY 140 DEGREES OF TURN THEN COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. SERVICE BULLETIN NO. SA-001 AND AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 87-02-01 WERE ADOPTED TO PREVENT THE POSSIBILITY OF AN INADVERTENT TOW-HOOK RELEASE DURING TOWING OPERATIONS. THE AD HAD NOT BEEN COMPLIED WITH AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 MST
Nearest AirportEl Tiro Glider Port (1nm E)
Runway26
Runway Length5000 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftSchweizer SGS 2-33
Tail NumberN5727S
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 38 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 8 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingOvercast 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 43 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:53
Weather SourceWFAC