Casualties unknown

Tow Airplane Collides with Runway Sign After Evasive Maneuver (N9779D)

Lawrenceville, IL, US

On June 15, 2006, a Piper PA-18A-150 (registration N9779D) was involved in an aviation accident near Lawrenceville, IL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The visual separation from the glider attempted by the tow pilot and traffic advisories from the glider not received by the tow pilot. The airport sign/marker was a contributing factor. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A tow airplane returning to an uncontrolled airport after releasing a glider struck a runway sign while avoiding a glider landing in the opposite direction.

Incident Overview

A tow airplane was returning to an uncontrolled airport after releasing a glider operated by a soaring club. The pilot of the tow airplane entered the traffic pattern to land on runway 27 and observed another aircraft taking off from the same runway. He decided to continue the approach and land on the grass adjacent to runway 27.

Evasive Maneuver

After touching down on the grass, the tow pilot saw a glider attempting to land in the opposite direction. The glider appeared to overshoot the centerline and was heading toward the tow airplane. The tow airplane pilot turned right toward the runway to avoid the glider, but the glider turned toward him. He then turned back to the left, and the tow airplane impacted a runway sign.

Radio Communications

The tow pilot reported that he did not hear any radio transmissions from the glider on the LWV common traffic advisory frequency.

Traffic Pattern Information

According to the Airport Facility Directory, runway 27 had the same traffic pattern for engine-driven aircraft and gliders.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20061117X01688. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.