# NTSB ERA22LA407: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N17867, Mount Bethel, PA, September 3, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: September 3, 2022, 16:23 local (20:23 UTC)
- Place: Mount Bethel, PA
- Coordinates: 40.940994, -75.138515 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9410&lon=-75.1385&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 105904
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA407
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105904/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105904
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA407

## Probable cause

The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions, where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight resulting in an off-airport landing and collision with powerlines.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Temp/humidity/pressure: thermal lifting](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031040/cases.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 53 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8051606), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The glider took off under aerotow about for a flight in the local soaring area. After flying about 45 minutes the pilot decided to reposition to a different ridge but during his transition, he encountered a loss of lift and started to lose altitude. Unable to gain sufficient lift, he was forced to make an off-airport landing. During his approach, he noticed another glider in the field and there were midfield powerlines. The pilot passed over the glider on the ground but impacted the powerlines. The impact with the powerlines and subsequent collision with terrain resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no pre accident mechanical malfunctions or failures of the glider that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N17867](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N17867), registered now, S/N 280, 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: 280
- Year built: 1973
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aero Club Albatross
- Registered owner: Aero Club Albatross
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 2022
- Departed: 1N7, Blairstown, NJ
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 23, 2020; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,002 total, 82 in this make and model, 1,969 as pilot in command, 96 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.26 inHg
- Observed at: MPO, 16 nm away
- METAR: KMPO 031953Z AUTO 20007KT 10SM FEW028 BKN035 23/17 A3026 RMK AO2 SLP238 T02280167

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 27, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105904. 4.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14496946&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA22LA407_6120-6YL94G3_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Record of conversation_pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 119 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14618399&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation_Pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photographs (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14497435&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.

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