Schweizer SGS134 accident near Blairstown, New Jersey, April 28, 2017
On April 28, 2017 at about 7:40 pm local time, a 1977 Schweizer SGS134 (glider), registered N2682H, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Blairstown, New Jersey (Blairstown airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 28, 2017 · about 7:40 pm local time
- Place
- Blairstown, New Jersey · Blairstown · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGS134 R, built 1977
- Registration
- N2682H · registry record · serial 92
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of lift during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Landing area undershoot during landing
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › (general) › Effect on operation
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Ability to respond/compensate
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Variable wind › Ability to respond/compensate
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 416 hours in all; 26 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 223 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 26, 2016
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,796.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 27, 2016
- Maximum gross weight: 840 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
- Operator: Aero Club Albatross
The flight
- Departed from: 1N7 Blairstown NJ at 5:30 pm
- Destination: 1N7 Blairstown NJ
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 6 knots, gusting 15
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observation at 7:54 pm from K12N, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on June 1, 2017. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.