# NTSB CHI07CA291: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N65832, Alliance, OH, September 1, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 1, 2007, 15:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Alliance, OH
- Coordinates: 40.981666, -81.041946
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9817&lon=-81.0419&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: CLE FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66817
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA291
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66817/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA291

## Probable cause

The pilot's inattentiveness during the aircraft preflight and his failure to maintain clearance above the trees.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - aircraft preflight - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he normally sets the altimeter to zero prior to takeoff.  The pilot reported that he was distracted during the preflight and he forgot to reset the altimeter which was set to field elevation, approximately 1,000 feet.  This resulted in the pilot releasing from the tow 1,000 feet lower than what he thought he was.  The pilot stated the glider hit the tops of trees while on final approach.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported he normally sets the altimeter to zero prior to takeoff.  The pilot reported he was distracted during the preflight and he forgot to reset the altimeter which was set to field elevation, approximately 1,000 feet.  This resulted in the pilot releasing from the tow 1,000 feet lower than what he thought he was.  The pilot stated the glider hit the tops of trees while on final approach.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N65832](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65832-2008-06-12), registration cancelled 2008-06-12, S/N 312, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schweizer SGS 2-33A
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-2-33a) (registry code 8051606) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 312
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cleveland Soaring Society
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2007
- Departed: K4G3, Alliance, OH
- Destination: K4G3, Alliance, OH
- Airport: K4G3, Miller Field, runway 9, 2,912 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 80; injuries: none; commercial; last flight review May 1, 2007; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,100 total, 900 in this make and model, 1,100 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.25 inHg
- Observed at: KCAK, 19 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 20070901022569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070901022569A), Sep 1, 2007: Scwzer SGS233A, Alliance, OH, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot made a low approach and hit a tree. The glider locked in left wing into the tree and landed right side up.

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.

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