NYC97LA074

After release at 1,100 feet, the glider pilot reported he encountered a 'severe sink' after entering the traffic pattern for landing on Runway 24. The pilot stated he could not complete a landing to Runway 24 and elected to land downwind on runway 06. The pilot completed the landing on Runway 06 where the glider then exited the left side of the runway and struck two parked airplanes. The winds were reported from 280 degrees at 12 knots with gusts to 21 knots. The glide ratio of the glider was approximately 34 to 1 at 58 mph. From an altitude of 1,000 feet, the glider was capable of gliding greater than 6 miles.

On April 13, 1997, at 1230 eastern daylight time, an I.C.A - Brasov IS-28B2, a glider, N2781H, was destroyed when it veered off the runway and collided with parked airplanes while landing at the Eagles Nest Airport (W13), Waynesboro, Virginia. The certified flight instructor glider pilot and the one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, that originated at the Eagle's Nest Airport, at 1220.

In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated:

"Released from tow at 1100 feet AGL, and crossed pattern entry point, to enter 45 [degree] entry to downwind leg of landing pattern. Glider encountered severe sinking air, increased speed to penetrate sinking air. Glider dropped too low to complete normal left hand pattern to runway 24, so turned 180 [degrees], and set up right base leg for runway 06, with tailwind on final approach. ...On rollout, glider weathervaned to the left, and left runway and ran into 2 parked aircraft."

A weather observation from the Charlottesville Airport (CHO), Charlottesville, Virginia, 23 miles to the east of W13, reported few clouds at 5,000 feet with 15 miles of visibility. Winds were reported from 280 degrees at 12 knots, with gusts to 21 knots.

A witness reported that N8217W landed "...on Runway 06 with a 20-25 knot slightly quartering tailwind."

In a telephone interview, a representative of the Soaring Society of America stated that the glide ratio for the I.C.A - Brasov IS-28B2 was approximately 34 to 1, at 58 mph. From an altitude of 1,000 feet, the I.C.A - Brasov IS-28B2 was capable of gliding greater than 6 miles.