Pipistrel Sinus Accident Near Lawrence Municipal Airport (N269PW)

Accident Overview and Pilot Report On July 3, 2019, at approximately 2000 eastern daylight time, a Pipistrel Sinus motorized glider, registration N269PW, was substantially damaged during an accident near Lawrence Municipal Airport (LWM) in Lawrence, Massachusetts. The pilot, who was not injured, was conducting a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot reported departing LWM at 3,500 feet mean sea level (msl) and flying about 16 miles to the coast. Upon reaching his usual soaring area, he turned off the engine power, feathered the propeller, and attempted to soar. Finding no thermals and with little westerly wind, he decided to restart the engine and return to LWM as his altitude descended through 2,500 feet msl. During the attempted restart, the engine started but appeared sluggish, and the pilot noted higher-than-normal fuel flow. He attempted to troubleshoot the issue, suspecting contaminated fuel or excessive air in the tanks or fuel line, and switched fuel tanks, but the problem persisted. Approaching from the east, he lined up for runway 23 but was unable to maintain altitude. Approximately 1.5 miles from the approach end of the runway, the glider struck a fence on a hilltop at an elevation of about 300 feet and skidded to a stop next to the LWM VOR.