NTSB Factual Report

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, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight, which originated at Blairstown Airport (1N7), Blairstown, New Jersey. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In a telephone interview, the pilot stated that he departed Blairstown about 1300. He intended to fly an "out-and-back" cross-country flight to Kutztown, Pennsylvania; however, during the return trip, 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 glider struck the top of a row of 20-foot-tall 'hedge trees' at the edge of the field. The glider came to rest suspended in one of the trees.

In a written statement, the pilot noted that the glider was at 1,500 feet above ground level when, "an outlanding field was chosen."

The pilot stated that he obtained weather information from the Internet prior to his flight, which reported winds from 130 degrees, at 14 knots.

The pilot reported 912 hours of total flight experience, 577 of which were in gliders.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector performed an on-scene examination of the glider. 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 anomalies.

The winds reported at the Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), Allentown, Pennsylvania, about 10 miles to the northeast, at 1451, were from 120 degrees at 9 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather which resulted in the loss of thermal lift and collision with trees.