Schweitzer 136 accident near Tinicum Twnshp., Pennsylvania, May 6, 2001
On May 6, 2001 at about 1:47 pm local time, a Schweitzer 136 (glider), registered N3620Y, was substantially damaged in an accident near Tinicum Twnshp., Pennsylvania (Erkes Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper decision to delay his landing. A factor related to the accident was the loss of thermal lift.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 6, 2001 · about 1:47 pm local time
- Place
- Tinicum Twnshp., Pennsylvania · Erkes Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweitzer 136
- Registration
- N3620Y · no longer on the register · serial 34
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, this was his first flight in the make and model glider. The pilot soared the glider at 3,000 feet in the local area for about three hours. As the thermal lift began to dissipate, the glider began to descend. Realizing that he was at a low altitude and would not make it back to the airport, the pilot elected to make an off field landing. While maneuvering for the off field landing, the airplane struck a 5-foot high tree.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 206 hours in all; 3 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 16 in the last 30 days; 102 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 7, 2000
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 661 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 3, 2001; 21 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 764 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: 9N1 Vanzant PA at 11:00 am
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 1, 1,400 ft by 80 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 060° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.43 inHg
- Observation at 12:55 pm from PNE, 120 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N3620Y the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.