Schweizer SGS 2-33A accident near Falcon, Colorado, March 12, 2024
On March 12, 2024 at about 3:40 pm local time, a 1979 Schweizer SGS 2-33A (glider), registered N2905H, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Falcon, Colorado (Meadow Lake airport). It was an instructional 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
The flight instructor’s failure to maintain control during takeoff which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and an impact with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 12, 2024 · about 3:40 pm local time
- Place
- Falcon, Colorado · Meadow Lake · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGS 2-33A, built 1979 · all SGS 2-33As on the register
- Registration
- N2905H · registry record · serial 545
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight instructor stated that during the ground launch he rotated the glider and then accelerated in ground effect before he pulled aft stick to accelerate on the launch arc. He then applied right stick correction for runway alignment after which a gust of wind lifted the right wing. The flight instructor was unable to counter the left roll with flight control inputs and the glider stalled. The tow rope, once side loaded, automatically disconnected as designed. The left wing impacted the ground which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing and empennage. The flight instructor stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal glider operation.
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
What happened, in order
- Glider tow event during takeoff
- Other weather encounter during takeoff
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during takeoff defining event
- Loss of control in flight during takeoff
- Attempted remediation/recovery during takeoff
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Instructor/check pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Crosswind › Ability to respond/compensate
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Ability to respond/compensate
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: glider; instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: glider; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 4,269 hours in all; 127 in this make and model; 14 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 3,499 as pilot in command; 707 on instruments
- Last flight review: December 19, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: minor injuries
Dual student
- Flight time: 3 hours in all; 3 in this make and model; 1 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 0 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,200.2 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, August 21, 2023
- Maximum gross weight: 1,040 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: KFLY Falcon CO at 3:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 16, 5,001 ft by 200 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 19°F (-7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.99 inHg
- Observation at 9:15 am from KFLY
Weather report (METAR): KFLY 121515Z AUTO 28006KT 10 SM CLR 08/M07 A2999 RMK AO2 T00761067=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on April 19, 2024. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for Record - FAA | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.