Schweizer SGS 2-33A N1178S

Summary

On 7 November 1993 at about 16:00 local time, a Schweizer SGS 2-33A registered N1178S, operated by Peter H Smyth, was involved in an accident near Morrisville, Vermont, 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

7 November 1993 at 16:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Morrisville, Vermont, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Schweizer SGS 2-33A

Registration

N1178S

Category

Glider

Operator

Peter H Smyth

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

BFO94LA003

Nobody was injured.

THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN SOARING WHICH RESULTED IN INADEQUATE ALTITUDE TO CLEAR THE RIDGE AND SUBSEQUENT COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN. A RELATED FACTOR WAS THE HIGH TERRAIN.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

ACCORDING TO THE STUDENT PILOT, HE WAS SOARING OVER THE MOUNTAINS. HE STATED THAT HE WAS GAINING AND LOSING ABOUT 200 FEET OF ALTITUDE AS THE GLIDER SOARED OVER THE RIDGE FROM NORTH TO SOUTH; HOWEVER, ON THE LAST TRAVERSE THE GLIDER LOST LIFT AND HE WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR THE HIGH TERRAIN AND COLLIDED WITH TREES. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION AND THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF HE HAD MORE EXPERIENCE IN MOUNTAIN SOARING.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.