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NTSB Report
April 11, 1988 · Eiriavion Oy PIK 20D · N1NZ
Saint Helena, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 11, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Saint Helena, CA
Aircraft
Eiriavion Oy PIK 20D
Tail Number
N1NZ
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
LAX88LA156
THE FLIGHT DEPARTED VACAVILLE GLIDERPORT ON AN AERO TOW. THE PLT INTENDED TO FLY TO CALISTOGA, CA AND RETURN. AFTER PASSING ST. HELENA, CA, THE THERMAL ACTIVITY BEGAN TO DECREASE. THE PLT EXECUTED A 180 DEG TURN TO RETURN TO VACAVILLE. WHEN THE FLT WAS OVER ST. HELENA, THE THERMAL ACTIVITY DIMINISHED FURTHER AND THE PLT ELECTED TO EXECUTE A PRECAUTIONARY LNDG IN AN OPEN FLD. THE PREVAILING SURFACE WINDS WERE FROM THE NORTH & THE FLD HE SELECTED SLOPED UPWARD TO THE NORTH. THE PLT LANDED TO THE NORTH & DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT THE GLIDER STRUCK A DITCH WHICH CROSSED THE LANDING AREA.
Full Narrative
THE FLIGHT DEPARTED VACAVILLE GLIDERPORT ON AN AERO TOW. THE PLT INTENDED TO FLY TO CALISTOGA, CA AND RETURN. AFTER PASSING ST. HELENA, CA, THE THERMAL ACTIVITY BEGAN TO DECREASE. THE PLT EXECUTED A 180 DEG TURN TO RETURN TO VACAVILLE. WHEN THE FLT WAS OVER ST. HELENA, THE THERMAL ACTIVITY DIMINISHED FURTHER AND THE PLT ELECTED TO EXECUTE A PRECAUTIONARY LNDG IN AN OPEN FLD. THE PREVAILING SURFACE WINDS WERE FROM THE NORTH & THE FLD HE SELECTED SLOPED UPWARD TO THE NORTH. THE PLT LANDED TO THE NORTH & DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT THE GLIDER STRUCK A DITCH WHICH CROSSED THE LANDING AREA.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 PDT
Nearest Airport8nm ESE
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftEiriavion Oy PIK 20D
Tail NumberN1NZ
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageMinor
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown · UNKNOWN · Unknown
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 29 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 5 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time16:00
Weather SourcePILO