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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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September 10, 1995 · Eiriavion Oy PIK 20B · CFTSW

Ephrata, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 10, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Ephrata, WA
Aircraft
Eiriavion Oy PIK 20B
Tail Number
CFTSW
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA95LA203

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE BEGAN THE DESCENT TO THE RUNWAY FROM ABOUT 40 MILES WEST OF THE AIRPORT. WHEN THE GLIDER WAS APPROXIMATELY SEVEN MILES WEST, THE WIND SHIFTED AND THE GLIDER EXPERIENCED EXTREME SINK. THE PILOT DID NOT FEEL THAT THE GLIDER WOULD MAKE IT TO THE RUNWAY AND OPTED TO MAKE AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING ON THE UPSLOPE SIDE OF A HILL. THE PILOT SAID THAT WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO THE HILL, THE SUN WAS IN HIS EYES AND HE DID NOT SEE THE FENCE POST WHICH THE RIGHT WING STRUCK. THE GLIDER SPUN AROUND AND BROKE UP BEFORE COMING TO REST.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM FROM THE FENCE POST. THE SUNGLARE WAS A FACTOR.

Full Narrative

On September 9, 1995, at 1721 Pacific daylight time, an Eiriavion Oy PIK 20B, C-FTSW, collided with a fence post during an off airport landing, three miles west of Ephrata, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The glider was substantially damaged and the private pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured. The flight had departed from Ephrata, on September 9, 1995, at 1300, for the pleasure flight. In a written statement, the pilot reported that after gliding for the past three hours, he decided to return to Ephrata. The pilot reported that he was high and started the descent from 40 miles west of the airport. When the glider was approximately seven miles west, the pilot reported that the wind shifted and the glider "...experienced extreme sink." The pilot stated that he did not feel that the glider would make it to the runway, and he opted to initiate an off airport landing to the up slope side of a hill. While on final approach to the hill, the pilot stated that the sun was in his eyes and he did not see the fence post which the right wing struck. The glider spun around and broke up before coming to rest.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:21 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftEiriavion Oy PIK 20B
Tail NumberCFTSW
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 47 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 15 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data