# Accident 20231028020039A: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, Elmira, NY, October 28, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 28, 2023, 16:00 local time
- Place: Elmira, NY
- Airport: Harris Hill
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 42.1209° N, 76.9011° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1209&lon=-76.9011&mi=10
- Aircraft: N17903, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N17903) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Schweizer SGS 2-33B (registry code 8051607, https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-2-33b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: NONE (registry code 00000, https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 2-33A
- Reported engine: AMA/EXPR UNKNOWN ENG
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, commercial pilot, flight instructor, private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 435 total, 220 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA24LA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA029) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231028020039A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON OCTOBER 28, 2023, AT 1600, A 1973 SCHWEIZER GLIDER MODEL SGS-2-23A OPERATED BY AN INSTROCTOR PILOT RETURNED TO LAND AT HARRIS HILL GLIDERPORT (4NY8) IN ELMIRA, NY. THE PILOT HAD EXCESS ALTITUDE THAT COULD NOT BE DISSIPATED AND WHICH WOULD RESULT IN A LONG LANDING. THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A PATTERN TOO FAR OUT OVER VALLEY WITH NORTH WIND, SINK, AND WATERFALL EFFECT RESULTED IN ABILITY TO MAKE FIELD.  THE WAS AIRCRAFT GROUND LOOPED, AND SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGED.

VISUAL METROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME, AND NO IFR FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED.  THE AIRCRAFT RECEIVED MAJOR DAMAGE.  THE PILOT AND PASSENGER WAS NOT INJURED, AND THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED AT HARRIS HILL AIRPORT (4NY8), ON OCTOBER 28, 2023, AT APPROX. 1500 EST.

INSPECTORS FOR THIS OFFICE INSPECTED THE AIRCRAFT ON NOVEMBER 6, 2023, IN A HANGAR AT THE HARRIS HILL AIRPORT AND FOUND THE AIRCRAFT SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA24LA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA029), Oct 28, 2023: Schweizer SGS 2-33A (N17903), Elmira, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to attain a proper glidepath for a landing on the intended runway, which resulted in an off-airport landing and impact with soft terrain.

## Other reports on N17903 (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19801115079759I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801115079759I), Nov 15, 1980: Scwzer SGS233 (N17903), Elmira, NY, Minor damage. Student pilot made hard landing, minor damage to the aircraft.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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