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August 1, 1986 · Schweizer SGS-2-33 · N5720S
Toledo, WA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 1, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Toledo, WA
Aircraft
Schweizer SGS-2-33
Tail Number
N5720S
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA86FA211
THE WEAK LINK AT THE TOW VEHICLE BROKE DURING LAUNCHING. THE PLT LOWERED THE NOSE OF THE ACFT AND TURNED INTO THE WIND. THE PLT STATED THAT THE ACFT WAS STALLED AND THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE DESCENT RATE. THE ACFT STRUCK THE RUNWAY IN A SLIGHT NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE WEAK LINK ROPE WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR TESTING TO DETERMINE THE STRENGTH OF THE ROPE AND ANY DEFECTS. THE PLT ASSUMED TOO HIGH OF A PITCH ANGLE TOO LOW TO THE GROUND DURING INITIAL CLIMB FOR THIS TYPE OF LAUNCH WITH THE TOW HOOK BEING FORWARD OF THE ACFT'S C.G. BEING APPROXIMATELY 150 FT AGL WHEN THE STALL OCCURRED, THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO FULLY RECOVER PRIOR TO CONTACTING THE RUNWAY.
Full Narrative
THE WEAK LINK AT THE TOW VEHICLE BROKE DURING LAUNCHING. THE PLT LOWERED THE NOSE OF THE ACFT AND TURNED INTO THE WIND. THE PLT STATED THAT THE ACFT WAS STALLED AND THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE DESCENT RATE. THE ACFT STRUCK THE RUNWAY IN A SLIGHT NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE WEAK LINK ROPE WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR TESTING TO DETERMINE THE STRENGTH OF THE ROPE AND ANY DEFECTS. THE PLT ASSUMED TOO HIGH OF A PITCH ANGLE TOO LOW TO THE GROUND DURING INITIAL CLIMB FOR THIS TYPE OF LAUNCH WITH THE TOW HOOK BEING FORWARD OF THE ACFT'S C.G. BEING APPROXIMATELY 150 FT AGL WHEN THE STALL OCCURRED, THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO FULLY RECOVER PRIOR TO CONTACTING THE RUNWAY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:07 PDT
Nearest AirportTOLEDO (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftSchweizer SGS-2-33
Tail NumberN5720S
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsNone · NONE · Unknown
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 5 kt, gusting 10 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO