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June 15, 2006 · Piper PA-18A-150 · N9779D

Lawrenceville, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 15, 2006
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Lawrenceville, IL
Aircraft
Piper PA-18A-150
Tail Number
N9779D
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI06LA278

The tow airplane was returning to the uncontrolled airport after releasing a glider that was operated by a soaring club. The pilot of the tow airplane stated that he entered the traffic pattern to land on runway 27 and saw another aircraft taking off from runway 27. The pilot of the tow airplane decided to continue the approach and to land on the grass next to runway 27. After he touched down, he observed a glider attempting to land in the opposite direction. The glider pilot appeared to overshoot the centerline and was heading for the tow airplane. The tow airplane pilot turned right towards the runway to avoid the glider, but the glider turned towards him. The tow airplane pilot turned back to the left and impacted a runway sign. According to the Airport Facility Directory, runway 27 had the same traffic pattern for engine-driven aircraft and gliders. The tow pilot stated that he did not hear any radio transmissions from the glider on the LWV common traffic advisory frequency.

NTSB Probable Cause

The visual separation from the glider attempted by the tow pilot and traffic advisories from the glider not received by the tow pilot. The airport sign/marker was a contributing factor.

Full Narrative

On June 15, 2006, about 1330 central daylight time, a Piper PA-18A-150, N9779D, operated by Wabash Valley Soaring Association Inc., received substantial damage on impact with a runway sign during landing rollout at Lawrenceville-Vincennes International Airport, Lawrenceville (LWV), Illinois. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The commercial pilot received no injuries. The flight originated from LWV at an unknown time. The pilot stated that he was participating in glider tow operations at the airport that day. During the accident flight, he released the glider he was towing over the airport, flew south of the airport to lose altitude, and entered the traffic pattern for landing on runway 27 (5,198 feet by 150 feet, asphalt). He observed another aircraft taking off from runway 27 and decided to land on the grass next to the runway. During his rollout, he observed a glider approaching the airport from the north which appeared to be landing in the opposite direction. The glider appeared to overshoot the runway centerline and was headed for the accident airplane. The pilot turned right towards the runway to avoid the glider, but the glider "turned or corrected" towards him. The pilot reported turning back to the left to get out of the glider's way when he impacted the runway sign. The tow pilot stated that he did not hear any radio transmissions from the glider on the LWV common traffic advisory frequency. According to the Airport Facility Directory, runway 27 had the same traffic pattern for engine-driven aircraft and gliders.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 CDT
Nearest AirportLawrenceville-Vincennes Intl (0nm)
Runway27
Runway Length5198 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18A-150
Tail NumberN9779D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 46 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter30.12 inHg
Observation Time17:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data