Schweizer SGS 2-33 accident near Warrensburg, Missouri, July 29, 2004
On July 29, 2004 at about 3:15 pm local time, a Schweizer SGS 2-33 (glider), registered N33950, was substantially damaged in an accident near Warrensburg, Missouri. It was a flight test under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate compaensation for the winds, and his inability to maintain directional control of the glider after encountering tall grass during the landing roll. The reported wind gust, tall grass, and the fence were contributing factors.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 29, 2004 · about 3:15 pm local time
- Place
- Warrensburg, Missouri · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGS 2-33 · all SGS 2-33s on the register
- Registration
- N33950 · no longer on the register · serial 380
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The glider impacted a fence during landing following a simulated towline break. The pilot reported that during the landing a gust of wind raised the right wing of the glider causing the left wing to contact the ground. The pilot reported that due to the 8 to 10 inch tall grass the glider veered to the left. The glider subsequently impacted a barbed-wire fence.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 213 hours in all; 11 in this make and model; 12 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 173 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 18, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Injury: no injuries
Pilot (unmanned)
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: glider; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,885 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 26, 2004
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine:; 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 9K4 Warrensburg MO
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.
Other NTSB records under N33950 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.