1992-07-05: Schweizer SGS 2-33A — Kittyhawk Soaring Club, Inc. — Manchester, MI

Casualties unknown • Manchester, MI, US

Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISIONS, FAILURE TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING WHEN HE REALIZED HE WAS TOO LOW TO REACH THE AIRPORT, AND ATTEMPTING TO STRETCH HIS GLIDEPATH TO REACH THE RUNWAY.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE PILOT OF THE ACCIDENT GLIDER REALIZED HE WAS TOO LOW FOR A NORMAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 36 AS HE NEARED HIS HOME AIRPORT FROM THE NORTH. HE ELECTED TO LAND STRAIGHT IN ON RUNWAY 18 AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO STRETCH HIS GLIDEPATH IN ORDER TO REACH IT WHEN HE COLLIDED WITH THE AIRPORT BOUNDARY FENCE AND A TREE WHICH WAS ON THE EDGE OF THE PROPERTY. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST ON THE AIRPORT FACING IN A NORTHERLY DIRECTION.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1992-07-05 Schweizer SGS 2-33A accident near Manchester, MI?

THE PILOT OF THE ACCIDENT GLIDER REALIZED HE WAS TOO LOW FOR A NORMAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 36 AS HE NEARED HIS HOME AIRPORT FROM THE NORTH. HE ELECTED TO LAND STRAIGHT IN ON RUNWAY 18 AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO STRETCH HIS GLIDEPATH IN ORDER TO REACH IT WHEN HE COLLIDED WITH THE AIRPORT BOUNDARY FENCE AND A TREE WHICH WAS…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1992-07-05 involved a Schweizer SGS 2-33A, registration N2524H, operated by Kittyhawk Soaring Club, Inc., at Manchester, MI.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISIONS, FAILURE TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING WHEN HE REALIZED HE WAS TOO LOW TO REACH THE AIRPORT, AND ATTEMPTING TO STRETCH HIS GLIDEPATH TO REACH THE RUNWAY.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X15109. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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