Schweizer SGS 2-33A accident near Buchanan, Virginia, April 17, 1993
On April 17, 1993 at about 7:45 pm local time, a Schweizer SGS 2-33A (glider), registered N33929, was substantially damaged in an accident near Buchanan, Virginia (Springwood Airport). It was a personal 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 PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION, INADEQUATE CREW COORDINATION, AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE UNFAVORABLE WIND AND PROXIMITY OF OBSTRUCTIONS WERE RELATED FACTORS.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 17, 1993 · about 7:45 pm local time
- Place
- Buchanan, Virginia · Springwood Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGS 2-33A · all SGS 2-33As on the register
- Registration
- N33929 · registry record
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT WAS DEMONSTRATING A GLIDER TAKEOFF TO THE PASSENGER. THERE WAS CONFUSION ABOUT WHO WAS ACTUALLY ON THE CONTROLS FOR TAKEOFF, THE PILOT OR THE PASSENGER. THE WIND WAS A QUARTERING LEFT TAILWIND AT 13 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 17 KNOTS. DURING THE GROUND RUN, THE RIGHT WING DRAGGED ON THE GROUND AND DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST. THE PILOT IN COMMAND TRIED TO REGAIN CONTROL, BUT THE WING STRUCK A PARKED VEHICLE AND A BUILDING.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 3,717 hours in all; 50 in this make and model; 12 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 3,500 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,200 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 1, 1992; 15 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,040 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 08VA at 7:45 pm
- Destination: 08VA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 9, 1,500 ft by 50 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 13 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 4,200 ft; not recorded at 4,200 ft
- Temperature: 61°F (16°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.
Other NTSB records under N33929 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.