Massachusetts Pilot Admits To Several Errors, One Good Decision

A glider pilot flying out of Sterling Airport (3B3) in Sterling, MA, reportedly deliberately put his aircraft in the trees following a missed landing attempt.

Television station WBZ in Boston reports that pilot Timothy Greenwood said he was unfamiliar with the PIK-20B glider he was flying for the first time last Wednesday, and missed his landing attempt. Rather than try to make a steep turn at low altitude, he decided his best option was to put the glider into the trees near the field.

The online site The Telegram reports that Greenwood reportedly overflew the runway, and announced on the radio that he was going down. Greenwood was not injured in the accident.

Local fire officials said that glider accidents at 3B3 are not particularly unusual, as the department has responded to several over the years. Greenwood had to be plucked out of the trees by the fire department. He said the cockpit of the glider remained intact when it impacted the trees, but he was not sure of the condition of the rest of the sailplane.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov