# Accident 19960323005009A: Eirvon PIK20D, Hollister, CA, March 23, 1996

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 23, 1996, 13:48 local time
- Place: Hollister, CA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Level Off Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 36.8900° N, 121.2395° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8900&lon=-121.2395&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4HT, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4HT) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Eiriavion PIK 20D (registry code 5760206, https://openairdocs.org/model/eiriavion-pik-20d) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: NONE (registry code 00000, https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EIRVON PIK20D
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 121 total, 17 in this make and model, 31 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX96LA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA144) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960323005009A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

PILOT WAS LANDING IN GRASSY FIELD, ON ROLL OUT WING DIPPED AND STRUCK THE GROUND. GROUND LOOPED, DAMAGED TAIL BOOM. (.4)ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, AFTER AN AERIAL TOW ALOFT HE SOARED IN THERMALS ABOVE NEARBY RIDGES AS HE FLEW TOWARD THE SAN LUIS RESERVOIR.  AS THE THERMALS BEGAN TO DISSIPATE HE TURNED BACK TOWARD HOLLISTER AND TOOK WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS THE LONG ROUTE TO [THE AIRPORT].  THE LACK OF AVAILABLE LIFT PRECLUDED MAKING THE AIRPORT AND HE LANDED IN AN OPEN FIELD. AS THE RIGHT WING DROPPED, THE TIP SNAGGED IN A LARGE GOPHER HOLE AND THE AIRCRAFT GROUND LOOPED, DAMAGING THE WING AND EMPENNAGE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB LAX96LA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA144), Mar 23, 1996: Eiriavion PIK 20D (N4HT), Hollister, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's improper in-flight decision to take a longer than necessary route back to the airport during a period of marginal lift.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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