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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

June 26, 1994 · Schweizer SGS2-32 · N1175S

Plymouth, MA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 26, 1994
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries)
Location
Plymouth, MA
Aircraft
Schweizer SGS2-32
Tail Number
N1175S
Operator
Simmons Daniel F
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO94LA118

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE GLIDING, THERE WAS 'NO LIFT' SO HE DECIDED TO TURN BACK TOWARD THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. HE ATTEMPTED TO 'FIND LIFT ALL THE WAY' BACK TO THE AIRPORT, BUT THERE WAS NONE. HE STATED THE AIRPLANE THEN ENCOUNTERED 'EXTREME DOWNDRAFTS OF AT LEAST 1,000 FEET PER MINUTE,' AND HE REALIZED HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE A LANDING AT THE AIRPORT. HE ELECTED TO LAND ON A GOLF COURSE. AS HE APPROACHED TO LAND ON A FAIRWAY, HE NOTICED GOLFERS ON THE GROUND AHEAD OF HIM. HE BANKED STEEPLY TO AVOID THE GOLFERS, AND THE GLIDER 'SANK RAPIDLY.' THE GLIDER IMPACTED A TREE DURING THE LANDING ROLL. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE REPORTED.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISION. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT IS A DOWNDRAFT.

Full Narrative

On June 26, 1994, about 1445 eastern daylight time, a Schweizer SGS2-32 glider, N1175S, impacted a tree and was substantially damaged during an off-field landing in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The commercial pilot received serious injuries, and his two passengers received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight departed from Plymouth Airport via aero tow and was conducted under 14 CFR 91. The pilot reported that he released from the tow plane about 4,700 feet above the ground at 1445. He stated that there was "no lift" so he decided to turn back toward the Plymouth Airport. As he was flying back to the airport, he attempted to "find lift all the way," but there was none. He stated the airplane then encountered "extreme downdrafts of at least 1,000 feet per minute," and he realized he would not be able to make a landing at the airport. He elected to land on a golf course located about 2 miles north of the airport. As he approached to land on a fairway, he noticed golfers on the ground ahead of him. He made "sharp turns" to avoid the golfers and the glider "sank rapidly." The glider impacted hilly terrain and a tree. According to an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector from Bedford, Massachusetts, the left wing of the glider was substantially damaged at impact with a tree during the landing roll. No mechanical malfunctions were found.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:45 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchweizer SGS2-32
Tail NumberN1175S
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSimmons Daniel F
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 66 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 16 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time18:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data