Event BFO94LA087

Factual narrative

On June 3, 1994, at 1332 eastern daylight time, N4194D, a WSK PZL Krosno glider, operated by Stowe Soaring of Morrisville, Vermont, collided with trees at Morrisville. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The certificated private pilot was not injured while the glider was destroyed. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91. The glider pilot stated that he and the tow pilot had discussed that they would climb to 2000 feet AGL, and if there was not enough lift at that altitude that they would climb to 3000 feet AGL before disconnecting. According to the pilot, the tow airplane was at 2000 feet when it turned to the left. The glider pilot stated that he disconnected, but he was unable to make it to Mt. Elmore. The glider continued to sink and struck tree tops before it spun to the ground. According to an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector, the pilot of the glider reported that the glider encountered a downdraft. The glider pilot also reported that there was no mechanical malfunction. THE GLIDER PILOT REPORTED THAT HE AND THE TOW PILOT HAD DISCUSSED EARLIER THAT THEY WOULD CLIMB TO 2000 FT AGL, AND IF THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH LIFT AT THAT ALTITUDE THAT THE FLIGHT SHOULD CONTINUE TO 3000 FT BEFORE RELEASING. ACCORDING TO THE GLIDER PILOT, THE FLIGHT WAS AT 2000 FT WHEN THE TOW AIRPLANE MADE A LEFT TURN. THE GLIDER PILOT THOUGHT HE COULD MAKE MT. ELMORE SO HE RELEASED FROM THE TOW PLANE. HE WAS UNABLE TO MAKE IT TO MT. ELMORE, AND THE GLIDER STARTED TO SINK. HE ELECTED TO LAND IN A FIELD; THE GLIDER CONTINUED TO SINK AND STRUCK TREE TOPS BEFORE IT SPUN TO THE GROUND. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE GLIDER ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12