# NTSB DEN82FTE22: Eiriavion PIK-20D, N199A, Crested Butte, CO, August 8, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1982, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Crested Butte, CO
- Coordinates: 38.870635, -106.979812 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8706&lon=-106.9798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 8, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70369
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82FTE22
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70369/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82FTE22

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - weather condition (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ATTENDING AN "AVIATION WEEKEND" SPONSORED BY THE TOWN OF CRESTED BUTTE, CO. HE HAD FLOWN IN THIS AREA OFTEN AND WAS ACQUAINTED WITH THE TERRAIN AND WEATHER. AFTER BEING TOWED TO AN AREA NEAR THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF MT CRESTED BUTTE, A NORMAL RELEASE WAS MADE. IN A RADIO TRANSMISSION TO THE GLIDER, THE TOW PILOT NOTED THAT THERE WAS VERY LITTLE LIFT, BUT MAYBE HE (THE TOW PILOT) HAD FELT SOMETHING ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN AS HE WAS CIRCLING BACK TO LAND AFTER THE RELEASE. THE MESSAGE WAS ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE GLIDER PILOT. WHO THEN TOOK A PICTURE OF THE TOW PLANE. THE GLIDER PILOT THEN PROCEEDED AROUND THE MOUNTAIN WHERE HE CRASHED ON THE NORTH FACE OF MT CRESTED BUTTE. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE GLIDER WAS ON A HEADING OF 070 DEG WHEN IT STRUCK A 60 FT PINE TREE ABOUT 20 FT FROM THE TOP. IT HAD IMPACTED THE TREE WITH IT'S LEFT WING ROOT, SEVERING BOTH THE WING AND THE TREE. THE FUSELAGE CAME TO REST ABOUT 100 AWAY AFTER PARTIALLY UPROOTING A STUMP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N199A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N199A-1984-07-11), registration cancelled 1984-07-11, S/N 20537 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EIRIAVION OY PIK-20D
- Registry model: [Eiriavion PIK 20D](https://openairdocs.org/model/eiriavion-pik-20d) (registry code 5760206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 20537
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lewis K. Corder
- Registered owner: Lewis K. Corder
- Departed: CRESTED BUTTE, CO
- Destination: CRESTED BUTTE, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Visibility: 65 statute miles

## 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 19820808035239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820808035239A), Aug 8, 1982: Eirvon PIK20D, Crested Butte, CO, Destroyed. Airplane crashed into trees on side of mountain.

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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