# NTSB ATL93LA138: Molino PIK-20, N3WX, Jonesville, NC, August 1, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1993, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Jonesville, NC
- Coordinates: 36.230789, -80.839866 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2308&lon=-80.8399&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 2, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3247
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3247/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA138

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT, UPON REALIZING THAT HE HAD SET UP TOO HIGH ON FINAL APPROACH, RETRACTED LANDING GEAR AND FLAPS AND ATTEMPTED A GO- AROUND. THE GLIDER STALLED AND BEGAN TO SPIN. THE GLIDER CRASHED IN A NOSE LOW, LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE AND THEN ROLLED ONTO ITS BACK IN A CORNFIELD APPROXIMATELY 1/4 MILE SOUTH OF THE LANDING STRIP. IT WAS REPORTED IN THE PILOT/ OPERATOR REPORT THAT THERE  WAS NO STALL WARNING SYSTEM INSTALLED IN THE AIRPLANE.

## Factual narrative

On August 1, 1993, at 1615 eastern daylight time, a Molino OY PIK-20, N3WX was substantially damaged following a collision with terrain during an attempted go around at Swan Creek Airport near Jonesville, North Carolina. The glider-only rated private pilot was not injured in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the local, personal flight.

The pilot reported that he was high on his final approach for landing and attempted a go-around. He stated that when he retracted the landing gear and flaps, the aircraft stalled and spiraled into the terrain about 1/4 mile from the runway. The glider impacted on its left wing tip in a nose-low attitude and came to rest inverted in a cornfield.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3WX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3WX-2012-09-25), registration cancelled 2012-09-25, S/N 20063, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOLINO OY PIK-20
- Registry model: [Molino PIK-20E](https://openairdocs.org/model/molino-pik-20e) (registry code 5760102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 20063
- Airframe hours: 563
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jake Alspaugh
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, March 4, 1993, 34 hours before
- Departed: 78A
- Destination: 78A
- Airport: 78A, Swan Creek, runway 10, 2,200 × 120 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 404 total, 215 in this make and model, 396 as pilot in command, 67 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: INT, 30 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19930801027049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930801027049A), Aug 1, 1993: Eirvon PIK20, Jonesville, NC, Substantial damage. Too high on final. Began go around powered glider. Stalled. Spun into corn field. Rolled inverted. No stall horn.

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.

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