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MIA07CA125

2007-07-21 · Big Flats, New York, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport 4NY8

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's misjudged distance/altitude during approach resulting in collision with trees and the ground.

Factual narrative

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. 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. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2007_MIA07CA125.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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