# NTSB NYC86FA017: Schweizer SGS-1-35C, N2565H, North Conway, NH, October 25, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 25, 1985, 13:57 local (17:57 UTC)
- Place: North Conway, NH
- Location: 44.0357° N, 71.1172° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of North Conway, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0357&lon=-71.1172&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30167
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86FA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30167/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FA017

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, landing
  - aborted landing - attempted, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING ATTEMPT IN A CLEARED CORN FIELD, THE GLIDER WAS APPROACHING A TREELINE AT AN ALTITUDE OF 10 TO 20 FT AGL. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE GLIDER PULL UP AND BANK TO THE LEFT BEFORE FALLING NOSE FIRST INTO THE GROUND. THE PILOT'S LOG BOOK REFLECTED ONE FLIGHT IN THE PRECEEDING 12 MONTH PERIOD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2565H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2565H-2012-10-18), registration cancelled 2012-10-18, S/N 65, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS-1-35C
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-35C](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-35c) (registry code 8050151) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 65
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Roger Merrill, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: CWN, NORTH CONWAY, NH
- Airport: CWN, North Conway, runway 33, 2,940 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 527 total, 140 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point -0 °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 19851025053949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851025053949A), Oct 25, 1985: Scwzer SGS135C, North Conway, NH, Destroyed. Pulled up from 20 feet AGL to clear a treeline. Banked and stalled impacting the ground.

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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