Schweizer SGS-2-33A accident near Mansfield, Massachusetts, October 24, 1987
On October 24, 1987 at about 4:45 pm local time, a Schweizer SGS-2-33A (glider), registered N5775S, was substantially damaged in an accident near Mansfield, Massachusetts (Mansfield). It was an instructional 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 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
- October 24, 1987 · about 4:45 pm local time
- Place
- Mansfield, Massachusetts · Mansfield
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGS-2-33A · all SGS-2-33As on the register
- Registration
- N5775S · no longer on the register · serial 105
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE SCHWEIZER SGS-2-33A WAS IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN WITH A STUDENT PILOT AND FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR. IN THE RIGHT TURN FROM BASE TO FINAL, THE NOSE DROPPED AND CONTROL WAS LOST. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, AND REGAINED CONTROL, HOWEVER, INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE REMAINED TO REACH THE RUNWAY. AN OFF-AIRPORT LANDING IN TREES WAS MADE. THE PILOT REPORTED THE WIND VELOCITY AT 5 KTS WITH GUSTS TO 10 KNOTS. THE CFI REPORTED THE WINDS AS 10 KNOTS.
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: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: glider; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 462 hours in all; 19 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 324 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,679 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 22, 1986; 73 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 32, 3,500 ft by 75 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Observation at 12:45 pm
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.