Pzl-Bielsko SZD-59 N591SZ

Summary

On 24 August 1996 at about 18:50 local time, a Pzl-Bielsko SZD-59 registered N591SZ was involved in an accident near Franconia, New Hampshire, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

24 August 1996 at 18:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Franconia, New Hampshire, United States

Nearest airport

Franconia (1B5)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Pzl-Bielsko SZD-59

Registration

N591SZ

Category

Glider

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC96LA172

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's misjudged altitude and distance which resulted in the collision with trees short of the runway.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The glider pilot was conducting a local flight south of the airport when he observed a squall line to the west. He decided to return to the airport and enter the traffic pattern west of the runway. He planned to conduct an approach and landing to runway 36. While in the pattern entry area, west of the runway, the pilot executed a 360-degree turn to lose altitude. During the turn, the pilot estimated the glider was too low; he stopped the 360-degree turn. He then flew over the runway to the east for a right downwind entry. As the glider approached the east side of the runway, the pilot again estimated the glider was too low; he performed a 180-degree turn back to the runway. As the glider rolled out of the 180-degree turn, it impacted trees east and short of the runway.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.