# NTSB CEN20CA406: Pik PIK-20D, N32C, Union, IL, September 19, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 19, 2020, 12:27 local (17:27 UTC) - Place: Union, IL - Coordinates: 42.229366, -88.539047 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2294&lon=-88.5390&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration; Greater Chicago FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 102007 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20CA406 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102007/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA406 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff that resulted in a collision with another glider that was parked close to the departure runway, and the pilot’s improper decision to attempt a takeoff without ensuring he had safe clearance from the parked glider. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Eiriavion PIK 20D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=5760206), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Eiriavion PIK 20D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5760206), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Eiriavion PIK 20D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=5760206), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Eiriavion PIK 20D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md?model=5760206), [All aircraft, 116 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Eiriavion PIK 20D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=5760206), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Eiriavion PIK 20D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=5760206), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Eiriavion PIK 20D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=5760206), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while taking off behind the towplane, the glider drifted to the left and impacted the left wing of another glider that was parked on the ground close to the runway and positioned such that its left wing was about 7 ft in the air. The pilot lost control of the glider and the glider subsequently impacted the ground coming to rest inverted. The glider sustained substantial damage to the left wing, aft fuselage, and empennage. The parked glider sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the glider was taking off on runway 09 with wind 110o at 7 knots, gusting to 12 knots. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented if they had waited until the other glider had been moved away from the runway before beginning the takeoff. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N32C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N32C-2021-05-25), registration cancelled 2021-05-25, S/N 20650, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIK PIK-20D - Registry model: [Eiriavion PIK 20D](https://openairdocs.org/model/eiriavion-pik-20d) (registry code 5760206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 20650 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 983 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2020 - Destination: Same as departure - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 55LL, Sky Soaring Airport, runway 9, 3,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 83; injuries: minor; private; last flight review June 13, 2020; seat: center; flight hours: 1,444 total, 506 in this make and model, 1,444 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.39 inHg - Observed at: DKB, 17 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 20200919020741A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200919020741A), Sep 19, 2020: Eiriavion Oy PIK 20D, Union, IL, Substantial damage. Glider was being towed for takeoff and glider wing struck wing of a glider that had just landed on an opposing heading. The glider flipped and crashed. The… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.