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Accidents · NTSB NYC99LA170 · Final report

Pilatus B-4 accident near Erwinna, Pennsylvania, July 8, 1999

On July 8, 1999 at about 7:30 pm local time, a Pilatus B-4 (glider), registered N20RK, was substantially damaged in an accident near Erwinna, Pennsylvania (Vansant 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-in-command's failure to maintain aircraft control.

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
July 8, 1999 · about 7:30 pm local time · cases in 1999
Place
Erwinna, Pennsylvania · Vansant Airport · cases near this airport · map
Type
Accident
Injuries
No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Pilatus B-4 · all B-4s on the register
Registration
N20RK · no longer on the register · serial 249
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

The pilot flew a left traffic pattern to Runway 23. On short final approach, approximately 100 feet from the runway threshold, a gust of wind forced the glider to the left, into trees. At an airport approximately 17 miles away, at 1551, the reported winds were from 280 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 19 knots, an varying from 250 to 320 degrees.

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: commercial pilot
  • Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
  • Flight time: 1,223 hours in all; 177 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 1,057 as pilot in command
  • Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
  • Seat: unk

The aircraft

  • Airframe total time: 187 hours
  • Last inspection: annual inspection, June 24, 1999; 3 hours since
  • Maximum gross weight: 770 lb
  • Seats: 1
  • Landing gear: retractable
  • Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total

The flight

  • Departed from: 9N1 at 4:46 pm
  • Flight plan: none
  • Runway 23, 1,340 ft by 200 ft

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Wind: from 280° at 10 knots, gusting 19
  • Visibility: 10 statute miles
  • Sky: scat at 9,000 ft
  • Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
  • Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
  • Observation at 7:51 pm from ABE, 140 miles away

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Crew1

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.

Connections how this case links to the rest of the register

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The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/NYC99LA170.json.

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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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.