Event MIA99LA066

Factual narrative

On January 21, 1999, about 1400 eastern standard time, an Schleicher ASW27 glider, N387T, registered to a private individual, had an in-flight collision with wires about 1 mile southeast of Winter Haven, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The glider received minor damage. The private-rated pilot reported serious injuries. The flight had departed from Winter Haven, about 1350. The tow plane had taken the glider to an altitude of between 2,200 and 2,300 feet. The pilot stated he was over the airport and was going to land. While on approach, the pilot noted that he would not have enough altitude to land at the airport. He then attempted to clear a lake and land in a field short of the airport. As he approached the field, the canopy struck wires and the glider landed in the field. The pilot was taken to the hospital and was diagnosed with a broken bone in his vertebra and a broken rib. The tow plane had taken the glider to an altitude of between 2,200 and 2,300 feet. The pilot stated he was over the airport and was going to land. While on approach, the pilot noted that he would not have enough altitude to land at the airport. He then attempted to clear a lake and land in a field short of the airport. As he approached the field, the canopy struck wires and the glider landed in the field. The pilot was taken to the hospital and was diagnosed with a broken bone in his vertebra and a broken rib. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12