Summary
On January 28, 2012, a Schweizer SGS 2-33A (N17873) was involved in an accident near Peoria, AZ. The accident resulted in 2 minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The glider pilot released from the tow airplane at a lower altitude than the planned altitude, which resulted in an off-airport landing.
The glider pilot stated that he set the altimeter to the field elevation of 1,600 feet mean sea level (msl) before takeoff. He planned on having the glider towed to 4,000 feet above ground level (agl), which would be 5,600 feet msl, then release the tow line. During the tow, the pilot released from the tow plane when the altimeter read 4,000 feet. During the return glide back to the airport in a headwind he realized he was too low to make it to the airport and executed a forced landing 2 miles short of the runway into desert terrain. The pilot stated that he mistakenly released from the tow at 4,000 feet msl, when he should have released at 4,000 feet agl. He also stated that the glider had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.
This accident is documented in NTSB report WPR12CA084. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N17873.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The glider pilot released from the tow airplane at a lower altitude than the planned altitude, which resulted in an off-airport landing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The glider pilot stated that he set the altimeter to the field elevation of 1,600 feet mean sea level (msl) before takeoff. He planned on having the glider towed to 4,000 feet above ground level (agl), which would be 5,600 feet msl, then release the tow line. During the tow, the pilot released from the tow plane when the altimeter read 4,000 feet. During the return glide back to the airport in a headwind he realized he was too low to make it to the airport and executed a forced landing 2 miles short of the runway into desert terrain. The pilot stated that he mistakenly released from the tow at 4,000 feet msl, when he should have released at 4,000 feet agl. He also stated that the glider had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR12CA084