Wsk Pzl-Krosno KR-03A accident near Hilltown, Pennsylvania, June 28, 1996
On June 28, 1996 at about 8:00 pm local time, a Wsk Pzl-Krosno KR-03A (glider), registered N32113, was substantially damaged in an accident near Hilltown, Pennsylvania (Phl Glider Council, INC. airport). 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
failure of a bolt on the tow hook which resulted in an uncommanded release of the tow rope, and forced landing of the glider.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 28, 1996 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Hilltown, Pennsylvania · Phl Glider Council, INC.
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Wsk Pzl-Krosno KR-03A · all KR-03As on the register
- Registration
- N32113 · no longer on the register · serial 03-05
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The glider was being towed by a Cessna 310 airplane. During takeoff climb, as the aircraft crossed the departure end of the runway, at a height of about 200 feet, the tow rope separated from the tow airplane. The glider pilot set up for an off airport landing in a open field. During ground roll, the left wing caught on brush and the glider ground looped to the left. The tow hook was installed on the tail wheel leaf spring of the tow airplane. It was held in place by two bolts. One of the bolts failed and the unit separated from the leaf spring. Tension between the release line, and tow rope actuated the tow hook to the open position, which resulted in the release of the rope from the tow airplane.
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: 433 hours in all; 6 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 207 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 821 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 1996; 89 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,190 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 0PA0 PA at 8:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 25, 2,800 ft by 250 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:50 pm from NXX, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.
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.