# Accident 20090116001219A: Glaser DG400, Hilo, HI, January 16, 2009

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: January 16, 2009, 13:00 local time
- Place: Hilo, HI
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 19.4808° N, 155.4403° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=19.4808&lon=-155.4403&mi=10
- Aircraft: N777WN, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N777WN-2013-06-13) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Glaser-Dirks DG-400 (registry code 3802510, https://openairdocs.org/model/glaser-dirks-dg-400) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GLASER DG400
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 15,000 total, 100 in this make and model, 0 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR09FA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09FA089) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090116001219A

## Narrative

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

PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO ATTAIN AN ALTITUDE RECORD FOR A GLIDER BY RIDING ON A MOUNTAIN WAVE.  THE PILOT WAS ON OXYGEN AND LAST REPORTED CLIMBING THROUGH 28,000’ MSL.  WRECKAGE WAS FOUND OVER A LARGE DEBRIS FIELD ON THE SIDE OF MOUNA LOA VOLCANO.  STRONG WINDS OF 45+ KNOTS WERE FORECAST FOR THE AREA.

## 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 WPR09FA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09FA089), Jan 16, 2009: Glaser-Dirks DG-400 (N777WN), Volcano, HI, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's loss of pitch control and subsequent exceedance of the glider's airspeed limit for undetermined reasons.

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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