# NTSB GAA17CA255: Schweizer SGS134, N2682H, Blairstown, NJ, April 28, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 28, 2017, 15:40 local (19:40 UTC) - Place: Blairstown, NJ - Coordinates: 40.975276, -74.989723 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9753&lon=-74.9897&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 5, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95096 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA255 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95096/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95096 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA255 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to attain a proper glidepath on approach for landing in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in an off-airport landing and impact with soccer goal posts. ## 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 1-34R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8050147), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-34R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=8050147), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-34R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=8050147), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-34R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=8050147), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: variable wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-34R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md?model=8050147), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-34R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=8050147), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-34R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=8050147), [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-34R, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8050147), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of a glider reported that he encountered turbulence and heavy sink on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern. He added that, on final approach, the glider encountered additional "heavy sink" and a "gusting headwind." He further added that the glider was approaching soccer fields short of the runway and that he cleared an initial goal post but that the glider impacted another goal post and impacted the ground. The glider sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located about 12 miles east of the airport reported that, about 14 minutes after the accident, the wind was variable at 6 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The airplane was landing on runway 25. ## Factual narrative The pilot of a glider reported that he encountered turbulence and heavy sink on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern. He added that on final approach, the glider encountered additional "heavy sink" and a "gusting headwind". He further added that the glider was approaching soccer fields short of the runway and he was able to clear an initial goal post, but the glider impacted another goal post and impacted the ground. The glider sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located about 12 miles to the east of the airport reported that about 14 minutes after the accident the wind was variable at 6 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The airplane was landing on runway 25. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2682H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2682H), registered now, S/N 92, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS134 (R) - Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-34R](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-34r) (registry code 8050147) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 92 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 1796.8 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Aero Club Albatross - Registered owner: Aero Club Albatross - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 27, 2016 - Departed: 1N7, Blairstown, NJ - Destination: 1N7, Blairstown, NJ - Airport: 1N7, Blairstown - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review June 26, 2016; seat: single; flight hours: 416 total, 26 in this make and model, 223 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots, gusting 15 - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: K12N, 12 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 20170428006769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170428006769A), Apr 28, 2017: Schweizer SGS 1-34R, Blairstown, NJ, Substantial damage. Pilot entered pattern at 1000 AGL. Winds from 240 @ 18 mph, with higher gusts. Pilot encountered turbulence and heavy sink on the downwind leg. He turned base… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 1, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95096. 3.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452797&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 297 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452798&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.