# NTSB ERA15CA005: HPH 304CZ, N304AK, Pikeville, TN, October 4, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 4, 2014, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Pikeville, TN - Coordinates: 35.610553, -85.192779 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6106&lon=-85.1928&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 90207 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15CA005 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90207/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90207 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA005 ## Probable cause A loss of aerodynamic lift, which resulted in an off-airport landing and subsequent impact with a pole. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [HPH 304CZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=05606J0), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Environmental issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03030000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [HPH 304CZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03030000/cases.md?model=05606J0), [All aircraft, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03030000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [HPH 304CZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md?model=05606J0), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [HPH 304CZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=05606J0), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [HPH 304CZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05606J0), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [HPH 304CZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05606J0), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the glider had been aloft for about 30 minutes prior to experiencing a loss of lift. After selecting a field for an off-airport landing, the pilot maneuvered the glider towards the field, and upon touchdown, the left wing contacted a pole. The glider subsequently pivoted left and came to rest upright, resulting in substantial damage to the tail boom. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies of the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that the glider had been aloft for about 30 minutes prior to experiencing a loss of lift. After selecting a field for an off-airport landing, the pilot maneuvered the glider towards the field, and upon touchdown, the left wing contacted a pole. The glider subsequently pivoted left and came to rest upright, resulting in substantial damage to the tail boom. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies of the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N304AK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N304AK-2015-12-01), registration cancelled 2015-12-01, S/N 36-17, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HPH LTD 304CZ - Registry model: [HPH 304CZ](https://openairdocs.org/model/hph-304cz) (registry code 05606J0) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 36-17 - Year built: 2001 - Airframe hours: 312 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Dimentstein Shmuel - Registered owner: Dimentstein Shmuel - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 10, 2014 - Departed: APT, Jasper, TN - Destination: APT, Jasper, TN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 8, 2014; seat: single; flight hours: 19,500 total, 180 in this make and model, 12,000 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,600 ft broken - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KCSV, 21 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 20141004018229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141004018229A), Oct 4, 2014: Hph Ltd 304CZ, Pikeville, TN, Substantial damage. On October 4, 2014, near Pikeville, Tennessee, N304AK, a glider, took off from marion county airport (apt). Airline transport pilot, [privacy data omitted],… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 16, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90207. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417767&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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. --- 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.