Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau DUO DISCUS accident near Port Matilda, Pennsylvania, November 5, 2016
On November 5, 2016 at about 4:00 pm local time, a 2016 Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau DUO DISCUS (glider), registered N484KS, was involved in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Port Matilda, Pennsylvania (Eagle Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The bystander's decision to walk onto the runway, which resulted in him being struck by the glider's left wing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 5, 2016 · about 4:00 pm local time
- Place
- Port Matilda, Pennsylvania · Eagle Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau DUO DISCUS, built 2016
- Registration
- N484KS · registry record · serial 679
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- AC/prop/rotor contact w person during landing (landing roll) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Operating environment › Airport facilities/design › Runway markings/signage › Awareness of condition
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Other/unknown
Pilot-Rated Passenger
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: glider; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 18,000 hours in all; 111 in this make and model; 38 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 17,000 as pilot in command; 100 on instruments
- Last flight review: September 11, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 622 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 111 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, February 5, 2016
- Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
The flight
- Departed from: 09PA Port Matilda PA at 4:00 pm
- Destination: 09PA Port Matilda PA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24, 2,300 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 9 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.35 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from KUNV, 7 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on January 10, 2017. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Accident Statement Airport Manager Passenger | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.