# NTSB ERA21FA239: Schweizer SGS 1-35, N2878H, Wurtsboro, NY, June 6, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report - Date: June 6, 2021, 12:49 local (16:49 UTC) - Place: Wurtsboro, NY - Coordinates: 41.597139, -74.458306 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5971&lon=-74.4583&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 103217 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA21FA239 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103217/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103217 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA239 ## Probable cause The pilot’s low-altitude release from tow for reasons that could not be determined, and his subsequent exceedance of the glider’s critical angle of attack while returning to the runway, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8050148), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=8050148), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=8050148), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=8050148), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=8050148), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-35, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8050148), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The accident flight was the pilot’s first flight in the glider make/model, and he indicated to the wing runner that he was “hesitant” about the flight. Witness statements and recorded data indicated that, just after takeoff, the glider released from the tow plane about 170 ft above ground level, while in a 25° right turn over the runway departure end. The glider continued the right turn and stalled about 1.4 seconds later, impacting airport property 13 seconds after the stall. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. Toxicology testing revealed the presence of the sedating antihistamine diphenhydramine in cardiac blood and urine, indicating that the pilot had taken some allergy, cold, or sleep-aid medication before the accident. Even considering two-to-three-fold postmortem redistribution of diphenhydramine, the concentration in the pilot’s blood appeared to be at therapeutic levels. Compared to other antihistamines, diphenhydramine causes marked sedation; impaired cognitive and psychomotor performance may also be observed. While the impairing medication diphenhydramine was detected, it is unlikely that the effects from the pilot’s use of diphenhydramine contributed to this accident. Although the reason for the pilot’s release from tow at low altitude could not be determined, the accident is consistent with his failure to maintain airspeed during the turn back to the runway, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. ## Factual narrative Review of data downloaded from an onboard device revealed that the accident flight, including the tow, lasted about 1 minute. The glider was towed for approximately 45 seconds until it released at 1248:51.0 while in a 25° right turn about 170 ft agl over the runway 23 departure end. The glider stalled approximately 1.4 seconds later, at 1248:52.4 and impacted airport property about 1249:5.0. On June 6, 2021, about 1249 eastern daylight time, a Schweizer SGS 1-35 glider, N2878H, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Wurtsboro, New York. The private pilot was fatally injured. The glider was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the towplane pilot, the accident pilot owned the glider, and the accident flight was his first flight in the glider. The wing runner who helped launch the glider reported that the accident pilot stated that he was hesitant, as it was his first flight in the glider. During initial climb from runway 23, about 100 to 200 ft above ground level (agl), the glider pilot released the tow rope and began a 45° bank right turn back toward the airport. About 90° through the turn, the nose dropped straight down. The glider started to pull up but was still about 60° nose down when it impacted a ramp area, slid across a taxiway, and came to rest on a grass area between the taxiway and runway. A different pilot flew the accident glider the previous day and reported that it flew well. An autopsy was performed on the pilot by the Westchester County Medical Examiner’s Office, Valhalla, New York. The cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries. Toxicology testing performed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Bioaeronautical Sciences Laboratory. The testing detected the sedating antihistamine diphenhydramine in the pilot’s cardiac blood at 112 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) and in his urine. The anesthetic drug ketamine and its metabolite, norketamine, were detected in the pilot’s cardiac blood and urine; ketamine is used in resuscitation. Ibuprofen, commonly marketed as Advil, was also detected in the pilot’s cardiac blood and urine. Diphenhydramine is a sedating antihistamine (commonly marketed as Benadryl) and is available over the counter in many products used to treat colds, allergies, and insomnia. Diphenhydramine carries the warning that use of the medication may impair mental and physical ability to perform potentially hazardous tasks, including driving or operating heavy machinery. The therapeutic range is 25 to 100 ng/mL, and it has a half-life of 3 to 4 hours. Diphenhydramine undergoes postmortem distribution and central levels may be two to three times higher than peripheral levels. FAA provides guidance on wait times before flying after using this medication; post-dose observation time is 60 hours, and the medication is not for daily use. The glider came to rest upright, oriented south, about 100 feet east of the initial impact point.The wings and empennage remained attached, while the fuselage partially separated in a downward direction, just aft of the wings. The cockpit area was crushed, and the control stick separated consistent with impact forces. The canopy frame remained attached to the fuselage, but the windscreen had shattered. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit to the flaps, ailerons, elevator, and rudder. The preimpact position of the flaps could not be determined. The tow release mechanism functioned normally when tested. The tow rope and its attachment hardware were intact. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2878H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2878H-2022-09-21), registration cancelled 2022-09-21, S/N 58 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 1-35 - Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-35](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-35) (registry code 8050148) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 58 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 2152 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 20, 2020 - Airport: N82, Wurtsboro-Sullivan County, runway 23, 3,591 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: fatal; private; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; toxicology performed; flight hours: 215 total, 0 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KMGJ, 10 nm away - METAR: KMGJ 061654Z AUTO 24009KT 10SM CLR 31/16 A3003 RMK AO2 SLP166 T03110161 ## 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 20210606014829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210606014829A), Jun 6, 2021: Schweizer SGS 1-35, Wurtsboro, NY, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Glider N2878H was under tow on climb out from runway 23 at N82, at approximately 200FT AGL the glider disconnected from the tow plane and began a descending… ## Other investigations on N2878H (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 NYC80DHM20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC80DHM20), Jun 5, 1980: Schweizer SGS135 (N2878H), Matamoras, NY, substantial damage ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 26, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103217. 4.5 MB in all. - Interview summaries (item 1, PDF, 2 pages, 124 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12870064&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Interview%20Summaries_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Witness statements (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 112 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12870560&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Witness%20Statements_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Excerpts from pilot logbook (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 301 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12871440&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Log%20Excerpts_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Excerpts from aircraft logbook (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 581 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12871239&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Aircraft%20Log%20Excerpts_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 5, PDF, 4 pages, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12870570&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - Toxicological report (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12871331&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Tox_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Airplane performance study (item 7, PDF, 10 pages, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13005223&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA21FA239_airplane_performance_study_v2-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 8, PDF, 1 page, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12871129&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Signed%20Wreckage%20Release_Redacted-Rel.pdf 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.