Schweizer SGS 2-33A N2055T

Summary

On 21 October 2000 at about 17:30 local time, a Schweizer SGS 2-33A registered N2055T was involved in an accident near Shirley, New York, United States. 2 people were 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

21 October 2000 at 17:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Shirley, New York, United States

Nearest airport

Brookhaven Airport (HWV)

Coordinates

40.7892, -72.8696

Aircraft

Schweizer SGS 2-33A

Registration

N2055T

Category

Glider

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC01LA020

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's improper in-flight decision to abort the glide toward the airport. A factor was the pilot's failure to comply with the published best glide speed.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The glider was approximately 2.5 miles south of the airport. The pilot reported that he began to encounter downdrafts, and initially flew back toward the airport at 63 mph. About 2,000 feet agl, and 1.5 miles south of the airport, the pilot observed a descent rate indication of approximately 600 fpm. The pilot thought that he would not reach the airport, and elected to attempt an off airport landing. The manufacturer's published two-place best glide speed was 50 mph. That speed resulted in a lift to drag ratio of 23-1, which corresponded to a glide of approximately 8 miles from 2,000 feet. Review of weather reports revealed the glider would have had a left quartering tailwind flying from south to north.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.