# NTSB NYC83LA011: Schweizer SGS2-33AK, N17965, Mecklenburg, NY, October 17, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 17, 1982, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Mecklenburg, NY
- Location: 42.4576° N, 76.7102° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mecklenburg, NY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4576&lon=-76.7102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71644
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83LA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71644/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA011

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
- Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING APPROACH THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE WIND VELOCITY AND FAILED TO ALLOW FOR STRONG DOWNDRAFTS. THE GLIDER LOST ALTITUDE 4-500 FEET SHORT OF THE FIELD OVER A WOODEN AREA AND CAME TO REST IN A NOSED OVER POSITION IN THE TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N17965](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N17965-2011-06-21), registration cancelled 2011-06-21, S/N 265, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS2-33AK
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 2-33AK](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-2-33ak) (registry code 8050210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 265
- Airframe hours: 575
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ithaca Soaring Club
- Registered owner: Ithaca Soaring Club
- Departed: MECKLENBURG, NY
- Destination: MECKLENBURG, NY
- Airport: Grund Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 268 total, 13 in this make and model, 140 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 285° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 140 °F

## 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 19821017054539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821017054539A), Oct 17, 1982: Scwzer SGS233AK, Mecklenburg, NY, Substantial damage. Glider encountered downdraft and crashed into trees short of runway during final approach.

## Other investigations on N17965 (3)

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 ERA10LA387](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA387), Jul 30, 2010: Schweizer SGS 2-33AK (N17965), Windsor, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The unauthorized installation of a battery and associated wiring and electrical components, which resulted in an in-flight electrical fire of undetermined origin.
- [NTSB NYC76DFJ17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC76DFJ17), Mar 14, 1976: Schweizer SGS233 (N17965), Elmira, NY, substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC76FFJ05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC76FFJ05), Aug 27, 1975: Schweizer 2-33A (N17965), Ithaca, NY, 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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