Schweizer SGS-2-32A accident near Kurtztown, Pennsylvania, May 19, 1986
On May 19, 1986 at about 7:00 pm local time, a Schweizer SGS-2-32A (glider), registered N2979H, was substantially damaged in an accident near Kurtztown, Pennsylvania (Kurtztown airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. 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
- May 19, 1986 · about 7:00 pm local time
- Place
- Kurtztown, Pennsylvania · Kurtztown · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGS-2-32A · all SGS-2-32As on the register
- Registration
- N2979H · no longer on the register · serial 549
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
AFTER FLYING IN THERMALS FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES, THE PLTS RETURNED TO THE ARPT TO LAND. THE INSTRUCTOR (CFI) STATED THEY CAME OVER THE INITIAL APPROACH POINT AT ABOUT 1000 FT FOR A LANDING ON RUNWAY 30. THE GLIDER PASSED OVER THE END OF THE RUNWAY AT ABOUT 150 FEET AGL AND APRX 50 MPH. AFTER PASSING THE RUNWAY END, EXCESSIVE LIFT OCCURRED. SPOILERS AND BRAKES WERE USED, BUT TO NO AVAIL. AS THE GLIDER CONTINUED TO LAND, A LARGE SINK RATE DEVELOPED. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT CONTACTED THE GROUND, BREAKING THE SKID AND CAUSING A FLAT TIRE.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: glider; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 6,426 hours in all; 1,400 in this make and model; 23 in the last 90 days; 1,400 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 1,040 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: None NONE (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: N31 at 6:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35, 2,500 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: not recorded; scat at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | 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.