# NTSB BFO94LA087: WSK PZL Krosno KR-03A, N4194D, Morrisville, VT, June 3, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 3, 1994, 13:32 local (17:32 UTC)
- Place: Morrisville, VT
- Location: 44.5573° N, 72.5900° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Morrisville, VT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5573&lon=-72.5900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 10, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8926
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO94LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8926/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA087

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S PREMATURE RELEASE FROM THE TOW PLANE. THE LACK OF LIFT AND THE DOWNDRAFT WERE FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - no thermal lift (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE GLIDER PILOT REPORTED THAT HE AND THE TOW PILOT HAD DISCUSSED EARLIER THAT THEY WOULD CLIMB TO 2000 FT AGL, AND IF THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH LIFT AT THAT ALTITUDE THAT THE FLIGHT SHOULD CONTINUE TO 3000 FT BEFORE RELEASING. ACCORDING TO THE GLIDER PILOT, THE FLIGHT WAS AT 2000 FT  WHEN THE TOW AIRPLANE MADE A LEFT TURN. THE GLIDER PILOT THOUGHT HE COULD MAKE MT. ELMORE SO HE RELEASED FROM THE TOW PLANE. HE WAS UNABLE TO MAKE IT TO MT. ELMORE, AND THE GLIDER STARTED TO SINK. HE ELECTED TO LAND IN A FIELD; THE GLIDER CONTINUED TO SINK AND STRUCK TREE TOPS BEFORE IT SPUN TO THE GROUND. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE GLIDER ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT.

## Factual narrative

On June 3, 1994, at 1332 eastern daylight time, N4194D, a WSK PZL Krosno glider, operated by Stowe Soaring of Morrisville, Vermont, collided with trees at Morrisville.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed.  The certificated private pilot was not injured while the glider was destroyed.  The flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91.

The glider pilot stated that he and the tow pilot had discussed that they would climb to 2000 feet AGL, and if there was not enough lift at that altitude that they would climb to 3000 feet AGL before disconnecting.  According to the pilot, the tow airplane was at 2000 feet when it turned to the left.  The glider pilot stated that he disconnected, but he was unable to make it to Mt. Elmore.  The glider continued to sink and struck tree tops before it spun to the ground.

According to an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector, the pilot of the glider reported that the glider encountered a downdraft.  The glider pilot also reported that there was no mechanical malfunction.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4194D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4194D-1994-10-04), registration cancelled 1994-10-04, S/N KR030303 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WSK PZL Krosno KR-03A
- Registry model: [WSK Pzl-Krosno KR-03A](https://openairdocs.org/model/wsk-pzl-krosno-kr-03a) (registry code 1130847) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 03-03
- Airframe hours: 600
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stowe Soaring
- Registered owner: Richard Smyth
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 15, 1994, 75 hours before
- Departed: MVL, VT
- Destination: MVL, VT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 244 total, 30 in this make and model, 209 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MPV, 20 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19940603013849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940603013849A), Jun 3, 1994: Wsk PZLM18, Morrisville, VT, Destroyed. Disconnected from tow too early and encountered downdraft. Struck tree tops.

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.

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