N1175S

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.