# NTSB NYC01LA114: Schweitzer 136, N3620Y, Tinicum Twnshp., PA, May 6, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 6, 2001, 09:47 local (13:47 UTC) - Place: Tinicum Twnshp., PA - Coordinates: 39.86074, -75.27983 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8607&lon=-75.2798&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 7, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 52171 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC01LA114 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52171/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01LA114 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper decision to delay his landing. A factor related to the accident was the loss of thermal lift. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Forced landing, maneuvering - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - thermal lift (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with object, landing ## Analysis According to the pilot, this was his first flight in the make and model glider. The pilot soared the glider at 3,000 feet in the local area for about three hours. As the thermal lift began to dissipate, the glider began to descend. Realizing that he was at a low altitude and would not make it back to the airport, the pilot elected to make an off field landing. While maneuvering for the off field landing, the airplane struck a 5-foot high tree. ## Factual narrative On May 6, 2001, about 0947 eastern daylight time, a Schweitzer 136, N3620Y, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Tinicum Township, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, this was his first flight in the make and model glider. About 0630, he was towed from the Erwinna Airport, Vansant, Pennsylvania, to an altitude of 3,000 feet. The pilot soared the glider in the local area for about 3 hours, until the thermal lift began to dissipate, and the glider descended. Realizing that he was at a low altitude and would not make it back to the airport, the pilot elected to make an off field landing. While maneuvering for the off field landing, the pilot observed an airstrip located in a nearby apple orchard and entered the traffic pattern for landing. As the pilot turned the glider from a base leg to final approach, he thought the airspeed was to low, and a stall was imminent. The pilot leveled the wings and the left wing impacted a 5-foot high apple tree. The glider spun 180 degrees, impacted the ground, and came to rest along side an apple tree. The weather at a nearby airport, at 0855 was, winds from 060 at 13 knots, clear skies, and temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3620Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3620Y-2013-04-30), registration cancelled 2013-04-30, S/N 34, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schweitzer 136 - Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-36](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-36) (registry code 8050153) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 34 - Airframe hours: 661 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Soaring Tigers - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 3, 2001, 21 hours before - Departed: 9N1, Vanzant, PA - Airport: 59PA, Erkes Airport, runway 1, 1,400 × 80 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review September 7, 2000; seat: front; flight hours: 206 total, 3 in this make and model, 102 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.43 inHg - Observed at: PNE, 120 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 20010506010089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010506010089A), May 6, 2001: Scwzer SGS136, Upperblack Eddy, PA, Substantial damage. (.19)On may 6, 2001, about 0947 eastern daylight time, a schweitzer 136, N3620Y, was substantially damaged after impacting trees near tinicum township,… ## Other investigations on N3620Y (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 NYC82DA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82DA153), Jul 3, 1982: Schweizer SGS-1-36 (N3620Y), New London, NH, substantial damage 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.