Summary
On July 08, 1999, a Pilatus B-4 (N20RK) was involved in an incident near Erwinna, PA. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain aircraft control.
On July 8, 1999, about 1530 Eastern Daylight Time, a Pilatus B-4 glider, N20RK, was substantially damaged while landing at Vansant Airport (9N1), Erwinna, Pennsylvania. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
The pilot stated that he flew a left traffic pattern to Runway 23 at 9N1. On short final approach, approximately 100 feet from the runway threshold, a gust of wind forced the glider to the left, into trees. When asked about other available runways, the pilot stated that the other runways are reserved for "motorized" traffic.
This incident is documented in NTSB report NYC99LA170. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N20RK.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain aircraft control.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On July 8, 1999, about 1530 Eastern Daylight Time, a Pilatus B-4 glider, N20RK, was substantially damaged while landing at Vansant Airport (9N1), Erwinna, Pennsylvania. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
The pilot stated that he flew a left traffic pattern to Runway 23 at 9N1. On short final approach, approximately 100 feet from the runway threshold, a gust of wind forced the glider to the left, into trees. When asked about other available runways, the pilot stated that the other runways are reserved for "motorized" traffic. He further stated that although he did not obtain a full weather briefing, he did telephone a recorded weather forecast system, provided by the National Weather Service.
At an airport approximately 17 miles away, at 1551, the reported winds were from 280 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 19 knots, and varying from 250 to 320 degrees.
According to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, and a representative from Pilatus, there was no maximum demonstrated crosswind component for the accident glider. Examination of the wreckage by the inspector revealed no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# NYC99LA170