# NTSB GAA17CA196: Schweizer SGS126, N17933, Bangor, PA, March 11, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 11, 2017, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Bangor, PA - Coordinates: 40.946109, -75.20333 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9461&lon=-75.2033&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 7, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94893 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA196 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94893/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94893 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA196 ## Probable cause The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, which resulted in an off-airport landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 1-26E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031040/cases.md?model=8050124), [All aircraft, 53 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031040/cases.md) - [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 1-26E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=8050124), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-26E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=8050124), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-26E, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=8050124), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-26E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=8050124), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-26E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8050124), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Evacuation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-26E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460/sequence.md?model=8050124), [All aircraft, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460/sequence.md) ## Analysis The glider pilot reported that, while returning to his home airport, he was unable to find enough lift and did not have enough altitude to cross a section of land called "The Gap." After he altered course to land at an alternate airport, he attempted to ridge soar but again did not encounter enough lift. He "hugged the ridge top" for as long as he could and then proceeded down a valley in anticipation of landing in a field. Subsequently, the glider collided with trees preceding the field and came to rest suspended in the trees. The glider sustained substantial damage to both wings and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The glider pilot reported that while returning to his home airport, he was unable to find enough lift, and did not have enough altitude to cross a section of land called "The Gap". After he altered course to land at an alternate airport he attempted to ridge soar, but was again unable to encounter enough lift. He "hugged the ridge top" for as long as he could and then proceeded down a valley in anticipation of landing in a field. Subsequently, the glider collided with trees prior to the field and came to rest suspended in the trees. The glider sustained substantial damage to both wings and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N17933](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N17933), registered now, S/N 563, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS126 (E) - Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-26E](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-26e) (registry code 8050124) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 563 - Year built: 1973 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 1N7, BLAIRSTOWN, NJ - Destination: 1N7, BLAIRSTOWN, NJ - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: minor; private; last flight review August 28, 2016; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 90 total, 38 in this make and model, 60 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 12 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,100 ft broken - Temperature: 18 °F, dew point 7 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KMPO, 14 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 20170311006739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170311006739A), Mar 11, 2017: Schweizer SGS 1-26E, Bangor, PA, Substantial damage. The pilot was concerned that he was not going to be able to generate enough lift to cross over a ridge. He then began to find a suitable off airport landing… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 4, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94893. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 783 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451780&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 415 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451781&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.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.