WILLIAMSTOWN, MA, USA
N5763S
SCHWEIZER SGS 2-33A
THE PILOT DID NOT RETRACT THE SPEED BRAKES PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. THE TOW PILOT WAS UNABLE TO ATTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED AND HAD TO RELEASE THE GLIDER AT A LOW ALTITUDE. THE GLIDER PILOT THEN RETRACTED THE SPEED BRAKES, BUT HE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH ALTITUDE TO CLIMB. HE MADE A FORCED LANDING AND STRUCK A POLE. THE GLIDER PILOT HAD A TOTAL OF 26 HOURS IN GLIDERS.
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO RETRACT THE SPEED BRAKES DURING THE PREFLIGHT, WHICH RESULTED IN THE TOW AIRPLANE BEING UNABLE TO ATTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE PRIOR TO RELEASING THE GLIDER, AND THE SUBSEQUENT LANDING OF THE GLIDER ON UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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