The National Transportation Safety Board has released new details about a glider crash that killed 76-year-old pilot Joseph Gregory Aug. 6 in Burnet County.
According to the preliminary investigative report released Friday, Gregory used a ground vehicle to tow the unpowered aircraft to about 1,000 feet before releasing the glider from the tow line. After the release, the glider’s nose turned to the right before the aircraft began spiraling downward. It spiraled about seven or eight times before hitting the ground just west of the gliderport, witnesses told investigators.
The glider – a PZL-Bielsko B1-PW-5 – hit the ground at a nearly vertical angle, crushing the cockpit and fuselage, according to the report. The tail also partially broke off and folded over the fuselage, investigators wrote.
Gregory, the only person on board, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman Sgt. Billy Ray.
The crash occurred just before 3:40 p.m. at a gliderport near Briggs owned by the Fault Line Flyers Glider Club, about 50 miles northwest of Austin. Club officers previously confirmed Gregory was a longtime member of the organization.
“He was a highly experienced and skilled pilot and a valued member of our club for many years. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this very difficult time,” club officers said in a statement, adding that the club is cooperating with investigating authorities.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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This article originally published at NTSB releases new details on fatal Burnet County glider crash.
