# NTSB GAA17CA063: Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau DUO Discus, N484KS, Port Matilda, PA, November 5, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 5, 2016, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Port Matilda, PA - Coordinates: 40.825279, -77.990837 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8253&lon=-77.9908&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: AC/prop/rotor contact w person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/081) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured; on the ground: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 6, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94363 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA063 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94363/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94363 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA063 ## Probable cause The bystander's decision to walk onto the runway, which resulted in him being struck by the glider's left wing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Airport facilities/design: runway markings/signage](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017030): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Awareness of condition; cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau DUO DISCUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017030/cases.md?model=3801901), [All aircraft, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017030/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Other (probable cause); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau DUO DISCUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=3801901), [All aircraft, 3,100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: AC/prop/rotor contact w person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/081) (defining event); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau DUO DISCUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/081/sequence.md?model=3801901), [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/081/sequence.md) ## Analysis 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. ## Factual 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 serious injury. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N484KS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N484KS), registered now, S/N 679, built 2015 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHEMPP-HIRTH FLUGZEUGBAU DUO DISCUS - Registry model: [Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau DUO DISCUS](https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-flugzeugbau-duo-discus) (registry code 3801901) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 679 - Year built: 2016 - Airframe hours: 111 - Damage: No damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, February 5, 2016 - Departed: 09PA, Port Matilda, PA - Destination: 09PA, Port Matilda, PA - Airport: 09PA, Eagle Field, runway 24, 2,300 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot-rated passenger; age 79; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 11, 2011; seat: rear; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 18,000 total, 111 in this make and model, 17,000 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 622 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 9 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.35 inHg - Observed at: KUNV, 7 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 20161105023239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161105023239A), Nov 5, 2016: Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau DUO DISCUS, Port Matilda, PA, No damage. During the landing roll out, as the glider was almost stopped, the left wing struck a photographer who had unknowingly moved onto the runway into it's path.… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 10, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94363. 996 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 638 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40448183&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 2, .PDF, 243 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40448184&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF - Accident Statement Airport Manager Passenger (item 3, .PDF, 115 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40448185&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Statement%20Airport%20Manager%20Passenger-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.