Schweizer SGS2-33A N34367

Summary

On 6 September 1993 at about 19:15 local time, a Schweizer SGS2-33A registered N34367, operated by PGH Soaring Club Inc., was involved in an accident near Eighty Four, Pennsylvania, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 September 1993 at 19:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Eighty Four, Pennsylvania, United States

Nearest airport

Bandel (22D)

Coordinates

40.1792, -80.1307

Aircraft

Schweizer SGS2-33A

Registration

N34367

Category

Glider

Operator

PGH Soaring Club Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

BFO93LA161

Nobody was injured.

THE PILOT'S UTILIZATION OF IMPROPER PROCEDURES FOR SETTING THE ALTIMETER WHICH LED TO HIS MISJUDGING ALTITUDE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT STATED THAT PRIOR TO ANY FLIGHT, HE ALWAYS SET THE GLIDER'S ALTIMETER TO READ AN ALTITUDE OF ZERO FEET ABOVE MEAN SEA LEVEL. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE GOT INTO THE GLIDER IMMEDIATELY AFTER SOMEONE ELSE GOT OUT, AND THOUGHT HE SET THE ALTIMETER TO READ MEAN SEA LEVEL. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE FLIGHT WAS UNEVENTFUL AND WHILE ON DOWNWIND TO THE RUNWAY, THE AIRPLANE'S ALTIMETER INDICATED AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 1,000 FEET. HE THOUGHT HE HAD ANOTHER 1,000 FEET TO THE GROUND AND INTENTIONALLY LOST ALTITUDE TO MAKE A LANDING. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE SOON REALIZED THE GLIDER WAS CLOSE TO THE GROUND AND TURNED LEFT TOWARDS THE RUNWAY TO LAND. DURING THE TURN, THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT WING CONTACTED TREES. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT THE ALTIMETER WAS SET TO THAT DAY'S BAROMETRIC PRESSURE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.