Event NYC99LA008

Factual narrative

On October 11, 1998, about 1300 eastern daylight time, a WSK PZL Krosno, KR-03A glider, N408KP, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees while landing at the Philadelphia Gliderport (0PA0), Hilltown, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight that departed 0PA0, about 1230. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The glider was in the traffic pattern for runway 1, a 2,450 foot long, turf runway. In a written statement, the pilot said: "...I was downwind [southwest] of runway. I started back at about 2,000 feet. I knew I was bucking a headwind so set speed about 60-65 knots and headed directly for the runway....I expected to make the field and was committed to that course. I flew into the trees, was stopped, and slid vertically down onto a pile of wood." Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector did not reveal any pre-impact abnormalities with the glider. The pilot reported 115 hours of total flight experience, all in gliders, of which about 15 hours were in the make and model of the accident glider. Winds reported at an airport about 9 miles southeast of 0PA0, at 1455, were from 320 degrees at 11 knots, with 15 knot gusts. The glider was in the traffic pattern for runway 1, a 2,450 foot long, turf runway. While on downwind, at about 2,000 feet above ground level, the pilot turned the glider back towards the runway. The pilot stated, '...I expected to make the field and was committed to that course. I flew into the trees, was stopped, and slid vertically down onto a pile of wood.' Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any pre-impact abnormalities with the glider. Winds reported about 9 miles southeast of the airport at 1455 edt, were from 320 degrees at 11 knots, with 15 knot gusts. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12