Schweizer SGS 2-33 accident near Chardon, Ohio, September 17, 1986
On September 17, 1986 at about 8:30 pm local time, a Schweizer SGS 2-33 (glider), registered N5722S, was substantially damaged in an accident near Chardon, Ohio (Chardon airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 17, 1986 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Chardon, Ohio · Chardon · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGS 2-33 · all SGS 2-33s on the register
- Registration
- N5722S · registry record · serial 63
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING FINAL LANDING APPROACH TO RUNWAY 14, THE SUTDENT PILOT DEPLOYED SPOILERS AND ATTEMPTED TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. THE GLIDER COLLIDED WITH TREES AND DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL TO THE GROUND 200 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE STUDENT PILOT HAD A TOTAL FLIGHT TIME OF 10 HOURS, 9 OF WHICH WAS DUAL FLIGHT INSTRUCTION. THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT WAS THE STUDENT'S 4TH SOLO AND 2ND ATTEMPT TO LAND ON RUNWAY 14. THE STUDENT STATED THAT HAD HE RECEIVED MORE DUAL INSTRUCTION TIME HE MAY HAVE RECOGNIZED THAT HE WAS TOO LOW ON THE APPROACH.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Ratings: rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 10 hours in all; 10 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days; 1 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 1, 1986
- Maximum gross weight: 1,040 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: None NONE (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 4D6 Chardon OH at 8:17 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 14, 2,200 ft by 155 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: not reported
- Wind: from 140° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.