# Accident 20020411007159A: Pzl-Swidnik PW-5, Newsmithville, PA, April 11, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 11, 2002, 16:00 local time
- Place: Newsmithville, PA
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 40.5083° N, 75.6736° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5083&lon=-75.6736&mi=10
- Aircraft: N908BT, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N908BT) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Pzl-Swidnik PW-5 (registry code 9810150, https://openairdocs.org/model/pzl-swidnik-pw-5) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: NONE (registry code 00000, https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB IAD02LA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD02LA042) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020411007159A

## Narrative

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

(.19) ON APRIL 11, 2002, AT 1500 EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME, A WSK PZL PW-5 GLIDER, N908BT, WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING A FORCED LANDING NEAR NEW SMITHVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA. THE CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT WAS NOT INJURED. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED FOR THE PERSONAL FLIGHT CONDUCTED UNDER 14 CFR PART 91. IN A TELEPHONE INTERVIEW, THE PILOT STATED THAT HE DEPARTED THE BLAIRSTOWN AIRPORT (1N7), BLAIRSTOWN, NEW JERSEY AROUND 1300. HE INTENDED TO PERFORM AN "OUT-AND-BACK" CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT FROM BLAIRSTOWN TO KUTZTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, AND THEN RETURN TO BLAIRSTOWN. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE RETURN TRIP TO BLAIRSTOWN, THE LIFT BEGAN TO DISSIPATE, AND HE DECIDED TO 'LAND OUT' IN A FIELD BELOW HIM. HE PERFORMED A TRAFFIC PATTERN ENTRY TO THE FIELD, AND PREPARED FOR A FORCED LANDING TO THE EAST. WHILE ON THE BASE LEG, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE TOP OF A ROW OF 20-FOOT TALL 'HEDGE TREES' AT THE EDGE OF THE FIELD. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST SUSPENDED IN ONE OF THE TREES. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE OBTAINED WEATHER INFORMATION FROM THE INTERNET PRIOR TO HIS FLIGHT, WHICH REPORTED WINDS FROM 130 DEGREES, AT 14 KNOTS. A FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) INSPECTOR PERFORMED AN ON-SCENE EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE. ACCORDING TO THE INSPECTOR, THE TAIL OF THE GLIDER WAS SEPARATED AND SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE WAS OBSERVED TO BOTH WINGS. A FLIGHT CONTROL CONTINUITY CHECK REVEALED NO MECHANICAL DEFICIENCIES WITH THE GLIDER. THE WINDS REPORTED AT THE LEHIGH VALLEY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (ABE), ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, AT 1451, WERE FROM 120 DEGREES AT 9 KNOTS. (-23) GLIDER PILOT ENROUTE FROM BLAIRSTOWN, NJ, TO KUTZTOWN, PA, AND RETURN ON A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT. LOST LIFT AND ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN A FARMER'S FIELD. AIRCRAFT STRUCK TREES ON BASE TO FINAL TURN. AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. NO INJURIES TO PILOT.

## 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 IAD02LA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD02LA042), Apr 11, 2002: WSK PZL PW-5 (N908BT), New Smithville, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather which resulted in the loss of thermal lift and collision with trees.

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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