Pzl-Bielsko SZD-59 accident near Franconia, New Hampshire, August 24, 1996
On August 24, 1996 at about 6:50 pm local time, a Pzl-Bielsko SZD-59 (glider), registered N591SZ, was substantially damaged in an accident near Franconia, New Hampshire (Franconia airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's misjudged altitude and distance which resulted in the collision with trees short of the runway.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 24, 1996 · about 6:50 pm local time
- Place
- Franconia, New Hampshire · Franconia
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Pzl-Bielsko SZD-59
- Registration
- N591SZ · registry record · serial B-2168
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The glider pilot was conducting a local flight south of the airport when he observed a squall line to the west. He decided to return to the airport and enter the traffic pattern west of the runway. He planned to conduct an approach and landing to runway 36. While in the pattern entry area, west of the runway, the pilot executed a 360-degree turn to lose altitude. During the turn, the pilot estimated the glider was too low; he stopped the 360-degree turn. He then flew over the runway to the east for a right downwind entry. As the glider approached the east side of the runway, the pilot again estimated the glider was too low; he performed a 180-degree turn back to the runway. As the glider rolled out of the 180-degree turn, it impacted trees east and short of the runway.
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: rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 191 hours in all; 20 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 13 in the last 30 days; 167 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 21 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, December 22, 1995; 21 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,190 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 1B5 at 6:20 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 2,200 ft by 90 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 6,500 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:52 pm from HIE, 15 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.
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.