PA-34-200 Seneca I
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 20; Flight Crew Total 4500; Flight Crew Type 600
Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airport; Human Factors; Procedure
Seneca was on short final to runway 23 had to break out to avoid collision with glider on base or final to runway 19.  Both aircraft took evasive action to avoid collision. Weather was clear with unlimited visibility; ASOS winds 280/08. Multiple glider tow traffic was departing north (runway 1) then using a right hand traffic pattern to land south (midfield runway 19). Additional traffic was parachute-jump Otters departing north (runway 1) and using a left hand traffic pattern to land south (midfield runway 19). Local traffic was using right hand traffic to runway 23 (the wind favored runway). I believe that simultaneous up-wind takeoffs; downwind landings; both right and left hand traffic patterns on runway 1/19 are a collision hazard when combined with heavy local and transient traffic.
PA34 pilot reports a NMAC with a glider during approach to Runway 23 at ZPH; while the glider was apparently on approach to Runway 19. Runway 23 was the wind favored runway while Runway 19/1 was being used by jump aircraft and gliders and both left and right hand traffic patterns.