# NTSB ERA12CA321: Eiriavion PIK 20D, N39RB, Eagleville, TN, May 6, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 6, 2012, 15:06 local (20:06 UTC)
- Place: Eagleville, TN
- Coordinates: 35.694442, -86.616668 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6944&lon=-86.6167&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 15, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 83563
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA321
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83563/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83563
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA321

## Probable cause

The glider’s encounter with atmospheric lift conditions not sufficient to maintain flight, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [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: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Eiriavion PIK 20D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=5760206), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Eiriavion PIK 20D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=5760206), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Eiriavion PIK 20D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5760206), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, when he was preparing to land, the wind favored a landing to the north. However, during the approach to land, he observed another glider being pulled out onto the field. Concerned about obstacle clearance during the landing, the pilot continued north on a downwind leg to set up for a landing to the south. The last thing he recalled before the accident was encountering a “very strong sink.” The glider subsequently collided with a cedar tree and the ground, substantially damaging the glider’s empennage. A witness reported that the glider appeared to climb and then banked hard to the right and rolled upside down before the collision. Postaccident examination and the pilot’s statement indicated no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he was preparing to land and the wind favored an approach to the north. While on approach to land, he observed another glider being pulled out onto the field. Concerned about obstacle clearance during the landing, he continued on a downwind leg to the north to set up for a landing to the south. The last thing he recalled prior to the accident was a “very strong sink.” The glider collided with a cedar tree, then the ground, about 1,016 feet from the north end of the runway. A witness reported that the glider appeared to climb and then banked hard to the right and rolled upside down before the collision. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration inspected the wreckage and confirmed substantial damage to the empennage. His inspection of the wreckage revealed that the glider was airworthy at the time of the accident. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failure that would have precluded normal operation of the glider.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39RB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39RB-2014-12-05), registration cancelled 2014-12-05, S/N 20597, built 1978 (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)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 20597
- Airframe hours: 2361
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, November 27, 2011, 11 hours before
- Departed: 50M, Eagleville, TN
- Destination: 50M, Eagleville, TN
- Airport: 50M, Puckett Gliderport, runway 14, 2,200 × 145 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 7, 2011; seat: single; flight hours: 600 total, 7 in this make and model, 451 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observed at: MQY, 20 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 20120506008659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120506008659A), May 6, 2012: Eiriavion Oy PIK 20D, Eagleville, TN, Destroyed. 5-7-2012: On scene investigation of a sailplane accident that occurred on may 6, 2012. The accident occurred at the Puckett Field glider port located in…

## Other investigations on N39RB (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 LAX80DUJ61](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80DUJ61), May 25, 1980: Eiriavion PIK-20 (N39RB), Tucson, AZ, substantial damage

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 15, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83563. 4.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369504&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 81 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369505&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- Correspondence with FAA Inspector (item 3, .PDF, 18 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369506&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Correspondence%20with%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF
- Bedford County Incident Report (item 4, .PDF, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369518&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Bedford%20County%20Incident%20Report-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1: Glider Wreckage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369508&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Glider%20Wreckage%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF

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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