# NTSB BFO94LA118: Schweizer SGS2-32, N1175S, Plymouth, MA, June 26, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 26, 1994, 14:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Plymouth, MA - Location: 41.9583° N, 70.6638° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Plymouth, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9583&lon=-70.6638&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor - Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 8946 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO94LA118 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8946/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA118 ## Probable cause THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISION. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT IS A DOWNDRAFT. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE GLIDING, THERE WAS 'NO LIFT' SO HE DECIDED TO TURN BACK TOWARD THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. HE ATTEMPTED TO 'FIND LIFT ALL THE WAY' BACK TO THE AIRPORT, BUT THERE WAS NONE. HE STATED THE AIRPLANE THEN ENCOUNTERED 'EXTREME DOWNDRAFTS OF AT LEAST 1,000 FEET PER MINUTE,' AND HE REALIZED HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE A LANDING AT THE AIRPORT. HE ELECTED TO LAND ON A GOLF COURSE. AS HE APPROACHED TO LAND ON A FAIRWAY, HE NOTICED GOLFERS ON THE GROUND AHEAD OF HIM. HE BANKED STEEPLY TO AVOID THE GOLFERS, AND THE GLIDER 'SANK RAPIDLY.' THE GLIDER IMPACTED A TREE DURING THE LANDING ROLL. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE REPORTED. ## Factual narrative On June 26, 1994, about 1445 eastern daylight time, a Schweizer SGS2-32 glider, N1175S, impacted a tree and was substantially damaged during an off-field landing in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The commercial pilot received serious injuries, and his two passengers received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight departed from Plymouth Airport via aero tow and was conducted under 14 CFR 91. The pilot reported that he released from the tow plane about 4,700 feet above the ground at 1445. He stated that there was "no lift" so he decided to turn back toward the Plymouth Airport. As he was flying back to the airport, he attempted to "find lift all the way," but there was none. He stated the airplane then encountered "extreme downdrafts of at least 1,000 feet per minute," and he realized he would not be able to make a landing at the airport. He elected to land on a golf course located about 2 miles north of the airport. As he approached to land on a fairway, he noticed golfers on the ground ahead of him. He made "sharp turns" to avoid the golfers and the glider "sank rapidly." The glider impacted hilly terrain and a tree. According to an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector from Bedford, Massachusetts, the left wing of the glider was substantially damaged at impact with a tree during the landing roll. No mechanical malfunctions were found. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1175S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1175S-2019-08-29), registration cancelled 2019-08-29, S/N 75, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS2-32 - Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 2-32](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-2-32) (registry code 8050206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 75 - Airframe hours: 2749 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Simmons, Daniel F., doing business as Plymouth Aviation And Soaring - Registered owner: Simmons, Daniel F. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 4, 1994, 13 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 12,062 total, 52 in this make and model, 11,993 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 16 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PVD, 35 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19940626016689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940626016689A), Jun 26, 1994: Scwzer SGS232, Plymouth, MA, Substantial damage. No thermals began return. Downdrafts. Tried land on golf course. Blocked. Impacted tree on landing roll. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.