# NTSB NYC07CA172: Schweizer SGS 1-26C, N2743Z, Windsor, VA, July 22, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 22, 2007, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Windsor, VA
- Coordinates: 36.848331, -76.688056
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8483&lon=-76.6881&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66280
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07CA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66280/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA172

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to properly plan the approach to the airport, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a tree.  A factor was the gusty wind conditions.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing
  - object - tree(s)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)

## Analysis

While returning from a local flight, the pilot realized that the glider did not have enough altitude to reach the airport.  He identified a farm field to perform a forced landing to.  While on approach to the field, and while gliding over trees, the glider was "hit by a gust of wind," and entered the tree tops while traveling about 50 mph.  The left wing struck a large tree, turning the glider 180 degrees, before the nose pitched down and impacted the forest floor.  The pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies of the glider, and reported that the winds were "very gusty" on the day of the accident.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot of the Schweizer SGS 1-26C glider, while returning from a local flight he realized that the glider did not have enough altitude to reach the airport.  He identified a farm field to perform a forced landing to.  While on approach to the field, and while gliding over trees, the glider was "hit by a gust of wind," and entered the tree tops while traveling about 50 mph.  The left wing struck a large tree, turning the glider 180 degrees, before the nose pitched down and impacted the forest floor.  The pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies of the glider, and reported that the winds were "very gusty" on the day of the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2743Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2743Z), registered now, S/N 246, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schweizer SGS 1-26C
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-26C](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-26c) (registry code 8050120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 246
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 3VA8, Windsor, VA
- Destination: 3VA8

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: minor; private; flight hours: 488 total, 305 in this make and model, 32 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 13 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observed at: SFQ, 11 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 20070722013679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070722013679A), Jul 22, 2007: Scwzer SGS126C, Isle Of Wight, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated that on 07/22/2007, he departed garner field (3VA8) at 12:00 local time, was towed up to 3000' AGL and released. He climbed to 5200' and…

## Other investigations on N2743Z (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 MIA73DLD88](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA73DLD88), Jun 13, 1973: Schweizer SGS126 (N2743Z), Oviedo, FL, 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.

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