Schweizer SGU 2-22CK N3907A
24 July 2009 · Ephrata, Washington, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 24 July 2009 at about 13:00 local time, a Schweizer SGU 2-22CK registered N3907A, operated by Civil Air Patrol Inc, was involved in an accident near Ephrata, Washington, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 13:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Ephrata, Washington, United States
- Nearest airport
- Ephrata Municipal Airport (EPH)
- Coordinates
- 47.3047, -119.5167
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGU 2-22CK
- Registration
- N3907A
- Category
- Glider
- Operator
- Civil Air Patrol Inc
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Ephrata → Ephrata
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- WPR09CA368
People
1 person had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Probable cause
The premature launch signal given by the wing walker.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot were onboard the glider readying it for an automobile tow launch. The CFI reported giving the 'take up slack' command to the wing walker, who was steadying the wings. Before the slack was taken up by the tow vehicle driver, the wing walker prematurely gave the launch signal. The tow driver then accelerated and the glider was suddenly launched into the air. The CFI attempted to control the glider by applying full forward elevator and simultaneously attempting to release the tow line. The glider struck the ground with the line still attached and was again launched into the air as the tow truck continued to accelerate. The tow line then released and the nose of the glider struck the ground. The glider sustained substantial damage to the aft fuselage structure during the accident sequence.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Schweizer SGU-2 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Jun 1999 | Schweizer SGU-2-22E | Hobbs, New Mexico, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 17 Jul 1998 | Schweizer SGU 2-22E | Canon City, Colorado, United States | Flight Training Adventure Camp | Serious injuries | - |
| 17 Sep 1995 | Schweizer SGU-2-22K | Picayune, Mississippi, United States | Francis K. Knippers | Minor injuries | - |
| 31 Jul 1992 | Schweizer SGU 2-22CK | Ephrata, Washington, United States | Civil Air Patrol Inc | Minor injuries | - |
| 15 Oct 1988 | Schweizer SGU-2-22E | Benton, Tennessee, United States | Mike Reisman | No injuries | - |
| 23 Apr 1983 | Schweizer SGU 2-22E | Cadiz, Ohio, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Jul 2009 | Evektor-Aerotechnik As SPORTSTAR | Snohomish, Washington, United States | Snohomish Flying Service Inc | No injuries | - |
| 16 Jul 2009 | Bielawa ROTORWAY E | Sequim, Washington, United States | R L Bielawa Associates Inc | Minor injuries | - |
| 7 Oct 2009 | Cessna 172P | Renton, Washington, United States | Boeing Employees Flying Assoc Inc | No injuries | - |
| 10 Jun 2009 | Smith Albert F CHALLENGER TWO | Moses Lake, Washington, United States | Angel Wings Aviation LLC | Minor injuries | - |
| 21 Aug 2009 | Morgan James E MORGAN RV6 | Everett, Washington, United States | Morgan James E | No injuries | - |
| 8 Oct 2009 | Piper PA-12 | Burlington, Washington, United States | Bruce L. Heiner | Fatal | 1 |