# NTSB DEN85LA185: Eiriavion PIK-20B, N563Y, Grand Lake, CO, July 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1985, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Grand Lake, CO
- Coordinates: 40.250656, -105.819419 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2507&lon=-105.8194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16722
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA185
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16722/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA185

## Sequence of events

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

- Forced landing, descent - normal
  - proper altitude - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vref) - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

ON RETURNING FROM A 300-KILOMETER CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT, IN A GLIDER THE PILOT NOTICED THE ABSENCE OF THERMAL ACTIVITY AND WAS FORCED TO LAND IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE PILOT SAID HE LANDED WITH A 2-5 KNOT TAILWIND AND HIS APPROACH AND TOUCHDOWN SPEED WAS TOO FAST. THE GLIDER STRUCK A SMALL HOLE, THE PILOT LOST CONTROL AND THE GLIDER GROUNDLOOPED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N563Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N563Y-2025-07-14), registration cancelled 2025-07-14, S/N 20120C, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EIRIAVION OY PIK-20B
- Registry model: [Eiriavion PIK 20B](https://openairdocs.org/model/eiriavion-pik-20b) (registry code 5760204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 20120C
- Airframe hours: 950
- Engines: none O unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William D. Ray
- Registered owner: David C. Dooley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 17, 1985
- Departed: LXV, LEADVILLE, CO
- Airport: LXV, Lake County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 270 total, 120 in this make and model, 223 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 18,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BJC, 40 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 19850706030169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850706030169A), Jul 6, 1985: Eirvon PIK20B, Grand Lake, CO, Substantial damage. Landed in field with tailwind after running out of lift on cross country. Wheel struck hole and ground looped.

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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