# NTSB NYC96LA016: Schweizer SGS 2-33, N65852, Barre, MA, October 22, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 22, 1995, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Barre, MA
- Location: 42.3564° N, 72.1105° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from Tanner Hiller Airport (8B5), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3564&lon=-72.1105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 27, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39117
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39117/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA016

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper inflight planning/decision, which resulted in his failure to return to the airport after encountering an area of no thermal lift, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering to avoid an obstruction during an off airport landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, maneuvering
  - weather condition - no thermal lift
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s)
  - evasive maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE GLIDER PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE THERMAL SOARING AT AN ALTITUDE OF 3350 FEET, HE ENCOUNTERED SINKING AIR. HE STATED THAT HE TRIED TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT, BUT SUBSEQUENTLY HEADED FOR AN OPEN FIELD ONE-HALF MILE FROM THE AIRPORT. HOWEVER, A UTILITY POLE WAS IN HIS PATH. DURING A TURN TO AVOID THE POLE, THE GLIDER WAS REPORTED TO HAVE STALLED ABOUT 25 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AND STRUCK THE GROUND IN A NOSE DOWN, LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE.

## Factual narrative

On October 22, 1995, about 1430 eastern daylight time, a Schweizer SGS 2-33 glider, N65852, was substantially damaged when it struck the ground in Barre, Massachusetts.  The private pilot received minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight which had departed the Tanner-Hiller Airport, Barre, at 1400, and was operated under 14 CFR Part 91.

In the NTSB Accident Report, the pilot stated:

Takeoff & tow to 3000 ft AGL normal      Thermaled to 3350      Experienced heavy sink - Tried to return to airport      Flew into a position where I wouldn't continue because      of utility pole      Turned left - left wing contacted ground - aircraft      rotated 180 degrees

When interviewed, the pilot reported that the glider stalled during the turn, at an altitude of about 25 feet above the ground.

According to the FAA, the left wing was bent outboard of the strut attach point, and the fuselage was bent about 6 feet behind the cockpit.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N65852](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N65852), registered now, S/N 342 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 2-33
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 2-33A](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-2-33a) (registry code 8051606) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 342
- Airframe hours: 662
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bouchard Gliders
- Registered owner: New England Soaring Assoc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1995, 40 hours before
- Departed: 8B5
- Airport: 8B5, Tanner-Hiller

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 77; private; seat: front; flight hours: 75 total, 75 in this make and model, 34 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORH, 12 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 19951022033719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951022033719A), Oct 22, 1995: Scwzer SGS233A, Barre/Barree Pl, MA, Substantial damage. Lost lift shortly after tow. Veered to miss pole landing off airport. Stalled 25FT AGL. Bent wing and fuselage.

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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