Schweizer SGS 2-33AK accident near Mattoon, Illinois, June 19, 1996
On June 19, 1996 at about 6:50 pm local time, a Schweizer SGS 2-33AK (glider), registered N65809, was substantially damaged in an accident near Mattoon, Illinois (Coles County airport). It was a public-use flight 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 failure to maintain directional control of the glider. Factors were the runway sign and the failure of the pilot to maintain a visual lookout.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 19, 1996 · about 6:50 pm local time
- Place
- Mattoon, Illinois · Coles County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGS 2-33AK · all SGS 2-33AKs on the register
- Registration
- N65809 · registry record · serial 311
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Public-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to statements provided by Civil Air Patrol personnel, the glider was being towed by a Cessna 172 at the wing flight encampment. As the glider and tow airplane accelerated down the runway, the glider 'drifted left of centerline. The left wing was down and [the wing] collided with a plastic runway apron sign.' The glider released from the tow airplane, departed the runway, and came to rest in a grassy area. The two pilots egressed uneventfully. The tow airplane aborted the takeoff uneventfully. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the left wing. No evidence of flight control malfunction or mechanical anomaly was reported.
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; instructor: glider; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 750 hours in all; 550 in this make and model; 710 as pilot in command; 370 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Seat: rear
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,040 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MTO at 6:50 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 29R, 6,501 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 13 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: not recorded; clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 66°F (19°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.
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.