Schweizer SGS 2-33A accident near Alliance, Ohio, September 1, 2007
On September 1, 2007 at about 7:20 pm local time, a Schweizer SGS 2-33A (glider), registered N65832, was destroyed in an accident near Alliance, Ohio (Miller Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inattentiveness during the aircraft preflight and his failure to maintain clearance above the trees.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 1, 2007 · about 7:20 pm local time
- Place
- Alliance, Ohio · Miller Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGS 2-33A · all SGS 2-33As on the register
- Registration
- N65832 · registry record · serial 312
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he normally sets the altimeter to zero prior to takeoff. The pilot reported that he was distracted during the preflight and he forgot to reset the altimeter which was set to field elevation, approximately 1,000 feet. This resulted in the pilot releasing from the tow 1,000 feet lower than what he thought he was. The pilot stated the glider hit the tops of trees while on final approach.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 1,100 hours in all; 900 in this make and model; 1,100 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 1, 2007
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 1, 2007
- Maximum gross weight: 1,040 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine:; 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: K4G3 Alliance OH
- Destination: K4G3 Alliance OH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 9, 2,912 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 5 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 4,500 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.25 inHg
- Observation at 6:51 pm from KCAK, 19 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.