# Accident 19990501004231A: Cessna 305A, Hilltown, PA, May 1, 1999

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 1, 1999, 13:34 local time
- Place: Hilltown, PA
- Airport: Philadelphia Gliderport
- Damage: Destroyed
- Collision: Midair collision, first aircraft
- Phase of flight: Climb
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 40.3312° N, 75.2481° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at Philadelphia Gliderport (3PA2), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3312&lon=-75.2481&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5171G, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5171G-2005-04-21) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 305A (registry code 2074002, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-305a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental O-470 series (registry code 17026, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 305A
- Reported engine: CONT O47011B
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Pilot flight hours: 2,300 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB IAD99FA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD99FA041) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990501004231A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

CESSNA C-305 ACFT COLLIDED IN MID-AIR WITH N47938, A GROB G-103 GLIDER, N5171G WAS DESTROYED AND THE PILOT/SOLE OCCUPANT SUFFERED FATAL INJURIES, N47938 WAS ALSO DESTROYED AND THE 2 POB SUFFERED FATAL INJURIES, OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES ARE UNKNOWN. REFERENCE N47938 FOR COMPLETE REMARK FROM NTSB FORM .19.(.4)THE CESSNA WAS IN AN APPROXIMATE 10 DEGREE RIGHT BANK CLIMBING TURN, TOWING A GLIDER. AS THE CESSNA REACHED APPROXIMATELY 1,000 FEET; THE PILOT (WITNESS) OF THE GLIDER BEING TOWED SAW ANOTHER GLIDER, A GROB, APPROACHING FROM HIS 11:00 POSITION.  THE GROB WAS IN AN APPROXIMATE 15 DEGREE RIGHT BANK DESCENDING TURN.  THE PILOT BEING TOWED BELIEVED THAT THE CESSNA AND GROB WERE ON A COLLISION COURSE, AND HE RELEASED FROM THE TOW AIRPLANE.  HE SAW THE TWO AIRCRAFT COLLIDE, AND THE CESSNA SPIN TO THE GROUND.  HE DID NOT SEE THE GROB AFTER IMPACT, BUT SAW FLUTTERING DEBRIS. BOTH THE CESSNA AND GROB WERE EQUIPPED WITH COMMUNICATION RADIOS.                               (-23)THIS ACCIDENT INVOLVED A MID-AIR COLLISION BETWEEN A CESSNA 305 (5171G) TOWING A GLIDER AND A SECOND GLIDER, A GROB 103 (N47938) THAT WAS RETURNING TO THE FIELD.  THE PILOT OF N5171G WAS KILLED AND AN INSTRUCTOR AND PRIV ATE PILOT ONBOARD N47938 WERE ALSO KILLED. NO INJURIES ON THE GROUND AND THERE WAS MINOR GROUND DAMAGE.

## Other aircraft in the event

- N47938, Grob G103ATWINII: [Accident 19990501004232A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990501004232A)

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB IAD99FA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD99FA041), May 1, 1999: Cessna 305A (N5171G), Hilltown, PA, destroyed, 3 fatal. Probable cause: The inadequate lookout of both pilots, and the pilot of the other aircraft.

## Other reports on N5171G (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19860118002469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860118002469A), Jan 18, 1986: Cessna STC305 (N5171G), Hilltown, PA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on a glider tow at 200 feet. Returned,made hard landing collapsing gear. Water in fuel on prior flights

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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