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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

October 11, 1998 · Wsk Pzl Krosno KR-03A · N408KP

Hilltown, PA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 11, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Hilltown, PA
Aircraft
Wsk Pzl Krosno KR-03A
Tail Number
N408KP
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC99LA008

The glider was in the traffic pattern for runway 1, a 2,450 foot long, turf runway. While on downwind, at about 2,000 feet above ground level, the pilot turned the glider back towards the runway. The pilot stated, '...I expected to make the field and was committed to that course. I flew into the trees, was stopped, and slid vertically down onto a pile of wood.' Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any pre-impact abnormalities with the glider. Winds reported about 9 miles southeast of the airport at 1455 edt, were from 320 degrees at 11 knots, with 15 knot gusts.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's misjudgment of altitude/distance which resulted in an in-flight collision which trees.

Full Narrative

On October 11, 1998, about 1300 eastern daylight time, a WSK PZL Krosno, KR-03A glider, N408KP, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees while landing at the Philadelphia Gliderport (0PA0), Hilltown, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight that departed 0PA0, about 1230. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The glider was in the traffic pattern for runway 1, a 2,450 foot long, turf runway. In a written statement, the pilot said: "...I was downwind [southwest] of runway. I started back at about 2,000 feet. I knew I was bucking a headwind so set speed about 60-65 knots and headed directly for the runway....I expected to make the field and was committed to that course. I flew into the trees, was stopped, and slid vertically down onto a pile of wood." Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector did not reveal any pre-impact abnormalities with the glider. The pilot reported 115 hours of total flight experience, all in gliders, of which about 15 hours were in the make and model of the accident glider. Winds reported at an airport about 9 miles southeast of 0PA0, at 1455, were from 320 degrees at 11 knots, with 15 knot gusts.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 EDT
Nearest AirportPhiladelphia Gliderport (0nm)
Runway1
Runway Length2450 ft
Runway Width300 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftWsk Pzl Krosno KR-03A
Tail NumberN408KP
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 78 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 11 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 57
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data