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NTSB Report
July 28, 1986 · Schweizer SGS 2-33A · N65901
Mattoon, IL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 28, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Mattoon, IL
Aircraft
Schweizer SGS 2-33A
Tail Number
N65901
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI86LA186
THE GLIDER WAS BEING TOWED FOR TAKEOFF BEHIND A TOW PLANE. ACCORDING TO THE GLIDER INSTRUCTOR, THE INITIAL ACCELERATION APPEARED NORMAL. AS THE TOW PLANE AND THE GLIDER NEARED THE END OF THE RUNWAY, THE GLIDER INSTRUCTOR BELIEVED THE TOW PLANE WAS EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM ACCELERATING TO TAKEOFF SPEED, SO HE RELEASED THE TOW LINE AT AN ALTITUDE OF APRX 5 FT. HE THEN TURNED FOR AN AREA FOR LANDING AND THE GLIDER TOUCHED DOWN IN A 'NOSE DOWN PANCAKE LANDING.' LATER, THE INSTRUCTOR LEARNED THAT THE SPEED BRAKES AND SPOILERS WERE FULLY DEPLOYED DURING THE ENTIRE TAKEOFF RUN & SUBSEQUENT SHORT FLIGHT.
Full Narrative
THE GLIDER WAS BEING TOWED FOR TAKEOFF BEHIND A TOW PLANE. ACCORDING TO THE GLIDER INSTRUCTOR, THE INITIAL ACCELERATION APPEARED NORMAL. AS THE TOW PLANE AND THE GLIDER NEARED THE END OF THE RUNWAY, THE GLIDER INSTRUCTOR BELIEVED THE TOW PLANE WAS EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM ACCELERATING TO TAKEOFF SPEED, SO HE RELEASED THE TOW LINE AT AN ALTITUDE OF APRX 5 FT. HE THEN TURNED FOR AN AREA FOR LANDING AND THE GLIDER TOUCHED DOWN IN A 'NOSE DOWN PANCAKE LANDING.' LATER, THE INSTRUCTOR LEARNED THAT THE SPEED BRAKES AND SPOILERS WERE FULLY DEPLOYED DURING THE ENTIRE TAKEOFF RUN & SUBSEQUENT SHORT FLIGHT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:35 CDT
Nearest AirportColes County Memorial (0nm N)
Runway17
Runway Length1450 ft
Runway Width250 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftSchweizer SGS 2-33A
Tail NumberN65901
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsNone · NONE · Unknown
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 70 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 13 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time11:53
Weather SourceWFAC