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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

May 19, 1985 · Schweizer SGS 2-33A · N2885H

Warrenton, VA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 19, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Warrenton, VA
Aircraft
Schweizer SGS 2-33A
Tail Number
N2885H
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO85LA046

THE PLT WAS OBTAINING TRANSITION TNG FM PWRD ACFT TO GLIDERS AND HAD FLOWN 3 DUAL FLTS N N2885H ON THE MORNING OF THE ACCIDENT WITH AN INSTRUCTION ON BOARD. THE CFI THEN AUTHORIZED HIM TO FLY HIS LIST SOLO FLT AND ACFT TKOF OBSVD THE GLIDER MAKE WHAT HE CONSIDERED A NORMAL BASE LEG FOLLOWED BY A FLAT SKIDDING TURN TO FINAL AND SUBSEQUENT OVERSHOOTING OF THE EXTENDED CENTERLINE OF THE APPROACH END OF RWY 15. THE PLT THEN EXECUTED STEEP S-TURNS BACK TOWARDS THE RWY DURING WHICH THE LEFT WING STRUCK A TREE FOLLOWED BY THE RIGHT WING AND THE ACFT CARTWHEELING TO THE GROUND.

Full Narrative

THE PLT WAS OBTAINING TRANSITION TNG FM PWRD ACFT TO GLIDERS AND HAD FLOWN 3 DUAL FLTS N N2885H ON THE MORNING OF THE ACCIDENT WITH AN INSTRUCTION ON BOARD. THE CFI THEN AUTHORIZED HIM TO FLY HIS LIST SOLO FLT AND ACFT TKOF OBSVD THE GLIDER MAKE WHAT HE CONSIDERED A NORMAL BASE LEG FOLLOWED BY A FLAT SKIDDING TURN TO FINAL AND SUBSEQUENT OVERSHOOTING OF THE EXTENDED CENTERLINE OF THE APPROACH END OF RWY 15. THE PLT THEN EXECUTED STEEP S-TURNS BACK TOWARDS THE RWY DURING WHICH THE LEFT WING STRUCK A TREE FOLLOWED BY THE RIGHT WING AND THE ACFT CARTWHEELING TO THE GROUND.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:17 EDT
Nearest AirportWarrenton Air Park (0nm N)
Runway15
Runway Length1922 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchweizer SGS 2-33A
Tail NumberN2885H
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 46 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 10 kt, gusting 21 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data