Schweizer SGS134 N2682H

Summary

On 28 April 2017 at about 19:40 local time, a Schweizer SGS134 registered N2682H, operated by Aero Club Albatross, was involved in an accident near Blairstown, New Jersey, 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

28 April 2017 at 19:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Blairstown, New Jersey, United States

Nearest airport

Blairstown (1N7)

Coordinates

40.9753, -74.9897

Aircraft

Schweizer SGS134

Registration

N2682H

Category

Glider

Year built

1977

Operator

Aero Club Albatross

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Blairstown → Blairstown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA17CA255

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to attain a proper glidepath on approach for landing in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in an off-airport landing and impact with soccer goal posts.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of a glider reported that he encountered turbulence and heavy sink on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern. He added that, on final approach, the glider encountered additional "heavy sink" and a "gusting headwind." He further added that the glider was approaching soccer fields short of the runway and that he cleared an initial goal post but that the glider impacted another goal post and impacted the ground. The glider sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located about 12 miles east of the airport reported that, about 14 minutes after the accident, the wind was variable at 6 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The airplane was landing on runway 25.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.