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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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July 5, 2002 · Burkhart Grob G103 TWIN Astir · N4446W

Unionville, PA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 5, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Unionville, PA
Aircraft
Burkhart Grob G103 TWIN Astir
Tail Number
N4446W
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
IAD02LA071

While on a left downwind for runway 07, the glider pilot saw a tow plane and glider departing runway 25. The pilot had elected to land on runway 07 because it was the runway he had used to depart earlier, but the winds had changed and the runway in use at the time was runway 25. When he turned on to final approach, the pilot realized he was getting close to the tow plane, and ducked under it to avoid a collision. The glider landed short of the runway, into a field with crops, and subsequently went into a ditch.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's evasive maneuver to avoid a collision with a departing airplane, which resulted in a landing short of the runway. A factor was the pilot's decision to land on the runway opposite the one in use.

Full Narrative

On July 5, 2002, about 1400 eastern daylight time, a Burkhart Grob G103 Twin Astir glider, N4446W, was substantially damaged after it landed short of runway 07 at the Ridge Soaring Gliderport (79N) Unionville, Pennsylvania. The certificated commercial pilot and the passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement, the pilot stated that when he was on left downwind for runway 07, he saw a tow plane and a glider taking off on runway 25. The pilot had elected to land on runway 07 because it was the runway he had used to depart earlier, but the winds had changed and the runway in use at the time was runway 25. When he turned on final approach, the pilot realized he was getting close to the tow plane, and ducked under it to avoid a collision. The avoidance maneuver resulted in the glider landing short of the runway, and subsequently colliding with a ditch. A witness observed the glider when it was on short final approach to runway 07. He said the glider appeared low and touched down short of the runway in a field with crops about 2 1/2 feet high. The glider traveled about 20 feet, then hit a ditch that separated the field from the approach end of runway 07. The left wing of the glider came up and the glider pivoted on the right wing. The tail boom fractured, but remained attached to the airframe by pushrods. The witness also noted that the winds were from the northwest at 5 to 10 knots. The pilot reported a total of 8,000 flight hours, of which, 300 hours were in gliders. He also reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the glider. Two Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors performed an examination of the glider. According to an inspector, the fuselage was fractured aft of the wings. Weather at University Park Airport, State College, Pennsylvania, 4 nm southeast, at 1347, included winds from 360 degrees at 8 knots, and visibility 20 statute miles.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 EDT
Nearest AirportRidge Soaring Glideport (0nm)
Runway07
Runway Length3325 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBurkhart Grob G103 TWIN Astir
Tail NumberN4446W
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 62 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 8 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter30.12 inHg
Observation Time17:47
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data