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NTSB Report
September 30, 1984 · Schweizer SGS 2-33 · N5712S
Churchton, MD
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 30, 1984
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Churchton, MD
Aircraft
Schweizer SGS 2-33
Tail Number
N5712S
Operator
Charles W Leatherman
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC84LA327
DURING GLIDER TOW CLIMBOUT, ENCOUNTER WITH THERMAL RESULTED IN MOMENTARY TOW ROPE SLACK. TOW ROPE SEPARATED IN OVERLOAD WHEN SLACK WAS TAKEN UP. GLIDER PLT SELECTED NEAREST OPEN FLD & SET UP LANDING PATTERN. ON DOWNWIND LEG, PLT NOTED OBSTRUCTIONS IN FLD, ELECTED TO DIVERT TO ANOTHER FLD STRAIGHT AHEAD & RECOGNIZED A DOWNWIND LNDG WOULD BE REQUIRED. DUE TO DOWNHILL SLOPE IN COMBINATION WITH TAILWIND, LNDG ROLL WENT BEYOND CLEAR AREA INTO HIGHER GRASS. ACFT COLLIDED WITH HIDDEN STUMP.
Full Narrative
DURING GLIDER TOW CLIMBOUT, ENCOUNTER WITH THERMAL RESULTED IN MOMENTARY TOW ROPE SLACK. TOW ROPE SEPARATED IN OVERLOAD WHEN SLACK WAS TAKEN UP. GLIDER PLT SELECTED NEAREST OPEN FLD & SET UP LANDING PATTERN. ON DOWNWIND LEG, PLT NOTED OBSTRUCTIONS IN FLD, ELECTED TO DIVERT TO ANOTHER FLD STRAIGHT AHEAD & RECOGNIZED A DOWNWIND LNDG WOULD BE REQUIRED. DUE TO DOWNHILL SLOPE IN COMBINATION WITH TAILWIND, LNDG ROLL WENT BEYOND CLEAR AREA INTO HIGHER GRASS. ACFT COLLIDED WITH HIDDEN STUMP.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 EDT
Nearest AirportLEE (5nm NW)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftSchweizer SGS 2-33
Tail NumberN5712S
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCharles W Leatherman
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 10 kt, gusting 12 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time15:00
Weather SourcePILO