Schweizer SGS 2-33A accident near Waynesboro, Virginia, October 26, 1991
On October 26, 1991 at about 6:00 pm local time, a Schweizer SGS 2-33A (glider), registered N34396, was substantially damaged in an accident near Waynesboro, Virginia (Waynesboro airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE INSTRUCTOR (CFI). CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INSTRUCTOR'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY MONITOR THE STUDENT'S PERFORMANCE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 26, 1991 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- Waynesboro, Virginia · Waynesboro · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGS 2-33A · all SGS 2-33As on the register
- Registration
- N34396 · registry record · serial 417
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE STUDENT GLIDER PILOT REALIZED THAT HE HAD DRIFTED TOO FAR FROM HIS DEPARTURE FIELD. HE ASKED THE INSTRUCTOR TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE INSTRUCTOR CONSIDERED LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD BUT DECIDED TO ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. AS THE INSTRUCTOR MANEUVERED FOR THE APPROACH OVER A HIGH POINT OF GROUND, THE GLIDER STRUCK THE TOP OF A TREE AND CRASHED SHORT OF THE AIRPORT.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: glider; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 3,290 hours in all; 955 in this make and model; 47 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 2,950 as pilot in command; 960 on instruments
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: rear
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,500 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 1, 1991; 95 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,040 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 1,500 ft
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 5:45 pm from CHO, 27 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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.