- Date
- January 28, 1989, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place
- Blairstown, NJ
- Injuries
- 1 fatal
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N5300GCessna 305A
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report February 15, 1991
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19890128065752A
- Case key
- 36266
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
Delays by both pilots in releasing the glider tow line after the glider pilot allowed the glider to maneuver excessively above the tow aircraft. The weather conditions were factors.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
Cessna 305A, N5300G, was being used to tow a glider (Schweizer SGS-1-26C, N8612R) from a 3102 ft grass rwy. The glider plt estimated the tow line was less than 150 ft in length. He rprtd the Schweizer was very sensitive on tow & that the manufacturer's recommended towing speed was 50 to 60 mph, but the tow plt preferred a higher tow speed. On svrl previous occasions, the glider plt had requested a 'conservative' speed. Rprtdly, they compromised on a slow tow to 1000' AGL, then a speed of 80 mph to the release point. The glider plt stated the wind was gusty, but the initial climb after takeoff was normal to about 150' AGL, then the glider encountered turbulence. Slack developed in the tow line & the glider plt corrected by using yaw. Witnesses rprtd the glider moved out of psn to the left, then right, then back left & high, raising the tail of the tow plane. Subsequently, the tow plane entered a steep dscnt & crashed, though both plts had released the tow line. The glider lndd safely. No preimpact mechanical problems were found.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N5300G
- Reported as
- Cessna 305A
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 22521
- Engine
- Continental O-470-11B, 213 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work use · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Eagle Ridge Soaring, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection
- Annual · October 30, 1988
- Airport
- INT · Blairstown, runway 25, 3,102 × 70 ft, grass/turf
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 32
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Center
- Toxicology
- Performed
- Flight hours
- 4,766 total · 1,217 in this make and model · 4,420 as pilot in command · 93 in the last 90 days · 25 in the last 30 days · 3 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 240° at 16 knots
- Visibility
- 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 46 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- ABE, 28 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.
Other investigations on N5300G · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.