# NTSB NYC89LA197: Schweizer SGS-2-32, N414LF, Plymouth, CT, August 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1989, 09:40 local (13:40 UTC)
- Place: Plymouth, CT
- Location: 41.6720° N, 73.0529° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Plymouth, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6720&lon=-73.0529&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36464
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA197
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36464/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA197

## Probable cause

IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS BY THE PILOT. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDETN WAS: THE DOWNDRAFT.

## 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
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING AN APPROACH FOR LANDING, THE GLIDER ENCOUNTERED A VERY STRONG SINK AND COLLIDED WITH TREES WHEN THE FLIGHT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE AIRPORT. IT CRASHED 150 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N414LF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N414LF-2012-09-05), registration cancelled 2012-09-05, S/N 85, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS-2-32
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 2-32](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-2-32) (registry code 8050206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 85
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Connecticut Soaring Center
- Departed: PLYMOUTH, CT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 5,066 total, 213 in this make and model, 4,923 as pilot in command, 145 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Temperature: 81 °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 19890819030489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890819030489A), Aug 19, 1989: Scwzer SGS232, Plymouth, CT, Substantial damage. High sink on final. Collided with trees short off runway.

## Other investigations on N414LF (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 LAX05CA284](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA284), Sep 1, 2005: Schweizer SGS-2-32 (N414LF), Waialua, HI, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's inadvertent spin entry while practicing a stall maneuver and his failure to regain control of the glider before impacting a lake.

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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