Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau DUO DISCUS N484KS

Summary

On 5 November 2016 at about 16:00 local time, a Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau DUO DISCUS registered N484KS was involved in an accident near Port Matilda, Pennsylvania, United States. 3 people were on board. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 November 2016 at 16:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Port Matilda, Pennsylvania, United States

Nearest airport

Eagle Field (09PA)

Coordinates

40.8253, -77.9908

Aircraft

Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau DUO DISCUS

Registration

N484KS

Category

Glider

Year built

2016

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Port Matilda → Port Matilda

Aircraft damage

Not recorded

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA17CA063

Injuries not recorded.

The bystander's decision to walk onto the runway, which resulted in him being struck by the glider's left wing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of a glider reported that during the landing roll, near the location where he wanted to stop, he felt a "thump." He further reported that he observed a person lying on the ground on the runway and did not see the bystander previously. According to the pilot-rated passenger, who was also the airport manager, the bystander was taking photographs of the glider and had moved onto the runway surface during the landing roll. Subsequently, the bystander was struck by the left wing. He further reported that he also did not see the bystander before the collision. The airport manager reported that the airport had a sign near the runway, which stated "Caution Aircraft Operations." Postaccident, the airport manager reported that he installed cones delineating the boundary of the runway and added an additional sign stating "Remain Behind Cones." The bystander sustained a serious injury. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.