Schweizer SGS 1-26E accident near Big Flats, New York, July 21, 2007
On July 21, 2007 at about 8:35 pm local time, a Schweizer SGS 1-26E (glider), registered N2768H, was substantially damaged in an accident near Big Flats, New York (Harris Hill 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 misjudged distance/altitude during approach resulting in collision with trees and the ground.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 21, 2007 · about 8:35 pm local time
- Place
- Big Flats, New York · Harris Hill · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGS 1-26E · all SGS 1-26Es on the register
- Registration
- N2768H · no longer on the register · serial 678
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Pilot stated that he was towed up to 3,700 feet mean sea level (msl) and released. He was up for approximately 1.45 hours and then found himself 3 miles south of the airport at 2,000 feet msl. During the approach to the airport, he encountered a gusty headwind and lost altitude. He realized too late that he wasn't going to have enough altitude to make it to the airport. The glider collided with trees and dropped to the ground about 100 meters south of the intended airport.
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: student
- Flight time: 29 hours in all; 12 in this make and model
- Last flight review: July 1, 2007
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,645 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 1, 2006
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine:; 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 4NY8 Elmira NY
- Destination: Big Flats NY
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 11 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 5,500 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from KELM
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.