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NTSB Report
October 17, 1988 · Pilatus B4PC11 · N8349
Bridgeport, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 17, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Bridgeport, TX
Aircraft
Pilatus B4PC11
Tail Number
N8349
Operator
Charles C Sitzes
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW89DPA02
THE GLIDER WAS BEING TOW-LAUNCHED BY AN AUTOMOBILE FROM THE PILOT'S PRIVATE RANCH AIRSTRIP. WHEN THE GLIDER WAS APPROXIMATELY 250 FEET AGL, THE TOW ROPE SEPARATED AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE AIRSTRIP. A DOWNDRAFT MADE THIS IMPOSSIBLE AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO MUSH INTO A TREE LINE, RATHER THAN LAND IN A DEEP GULLY THAT WAS JUST SHORT OF THE AIRSTRIP. THE PLT HAD A LARGE RECENTLY MOWED HAY FIELD DIRECTLY AHEAD BEFORE TURNING.
Full Narrative
THE GLIDER WAS BEING TOW-LAUNCHED BY AN AUTOMOBILE FROM THE PILOT'S PRIVATE RANCH AIRSTRIP. WHEN THE GLIDER WAS APPROXIMATELY 250 FEET AGL, THE TOW ROPE SEPARATED AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE AIRSTRIP. A DOWNDRAFT MADE THIS IMPOSSIBLE AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO MUSH INTO A TREE LINE, RATHER THAN LAND IN A DEEP GULLY THAT WAS JUST SHORT OF THE AIRSTRIP. THE PLT HAD A LARGE RECENTLY MOWED HAY FIELD DIRECTLY AHEAD BEFORE TURNING.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 CDT
Nearest AirportFlying S Ranch (0nm N)
Runway18
Runway Length1750 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPilatus B4PC11
Tail NumberN8349
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCharles C Sitzes
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown · UNKNOWN · Unknown
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 53 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 12 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO