# NTSB MIA07CA125: Schweizer SGS 1-26E, N2768H, Big Flats, NY, July 21, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 21, 2007, 16:35 local (20:35 UTC)
- Place: Big Flats, NY
- Coordinates: 42.119167, -76.900558
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1192&lon=-76.9006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Rochester NY FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66276
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA07CA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66276/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA07CA125

## Probable cause

The pilot's misjudged distance/altitude during approach resulting in collision with trees and the ground.

## 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
  - distance/altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

Pilot stated that he was towed up to 3,700 feet mean sea level (msl) and released. He was up for approximately 1.45 hours and then found himself 3 miles south of the airport at 2,000 feet msl. During the approach to the airport, he encountered a gusty headwind and lost altitude.  He realized too late that he wasn't going to have enough altitude to make it to the airport. The glider collided with trees and dropped to the ground about 100 meters south of the intended airport.

## Factual narrative

Pilot stated that he was towed up to 3,700 feet mean sea level (msl) and released. He was up for approximately 1.45 hours and then found himself 3 miles south of the airport at 2,000 feet msl. During the approach to the airport, he encountered a gusty headwind and lost altitude.  He realized too late that he wasn't going to have enough altitude to make it to the airport. The glider collided with trees and dropped to the ground about 100 meters south of the intended airport.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2768H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2768H-2022-05-18), registration cancelled 2022-05-18, S/N 678, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schweizer SGS 1-26E
- 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: 678
- Airframe hours: 1645
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jashia E Murphy
- Registered owner: Harris Hill Soaring Corperation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2006
- Departed: 4NY8, ELMIRA, NY
- Destination: Big Flats, NY
- Airport: 4NY8, Harris Hill

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 16; injuries: none; student; last flight review July 1, 2007; seat: single; flight hours: 29 total, 12 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 11 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observed at: KELM

## 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 20070721017189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070721017189A), Jul 21, 2007: Scwzer SGS126E, Elmira, NY, Destroyed. (-23) On July 21, 2007 at approximately 1600 local time a Schweizer aircraft model 1-26E glider landed short of runway 34 at 4NY8 (Harris Hill, NY). The…

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.