# Accident 20030426007199A: Sphrth CIRRUS, Ephrata, WA, April 26, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 26, 2003, 13:50 local time
- Place: Ephrata, WA
- Airport: Ephrata Municipal
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Level Off Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 47.3128° N, 119.5000° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3128&lon=-119.5000&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3839, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3839-2020-12-04) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Schempp-Hirth CIRRUS (registry code 38019VC, https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-cirrus) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: NONE (registry code 00000, https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SPHRTH CIRRUS
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 1,100 total, 50 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB SEA03LA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA072) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030426007199A

## Narrative

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

(-23) PILOT WAS ON SHORT FINAL ABOUT TO ROUND OUT FOR LANDING WHEN HE DEPLOYED THE SPOILERS AND DROPPED ABOUT 10 FEET TO THE LANDING SURFACE. THE RIGHT WING STRUCK THE GROUND PIVOTING THE AIRCRAFT TO THE RIGHT. THE SUBSEQUENT SIDE LOADING CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE MAIN GEAR STRUCTURE IN ADDITION TO DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT WING.

## 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 SEA03LA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA072), Apr 26, 2003: Schempp-Hirth Cirrus (N3839), Ephrata, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while on final approach for landing. Low airspeed was a factor.

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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