# NTSB ERA23LA115: Eiriavion PIK-20D, N1NZ, Benton, TN, January 20, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: January 20, 2023, 13:40, time zone not recorded - Place: Benton, TN - Coordinates: 35.187601, -84.559258 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1876&lon=-84.5593&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - 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: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 106616 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA115 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106616/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106616 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA115 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to turn toward a mountain ridge in a thermal, which resulted in a collision with terrain. ## 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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Eiriavion PIK 20D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=5760206), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The glider pilot reported that the day was a “good ridge day” and about 45 minutes into the flight he saw two large birds flying in a thermal. He attempted to enter the same thermal that the birds were in, turning towards a mountain ridge, the same direction the birds were circling. The pilot was carried out of the thermal and entered an area of sinking air which resulted in the glider impacting the ridge. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1NZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1NZ-2024-01-09), registration cancelled 2024-01-09, S/N 20607, 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: 20607 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 2172.3 - Engines: None none - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 27, 2022 - Departed: 92A, Benton, TN - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Data recorder ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: minor; airline transport, flight engineer, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, waiver time limited special; last flight review June 23, 2021; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 26,300 total, 75 in this make and model, 15,000 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: MMI, 7 nm away - METAR: KMMI 201915Z AUTO VRB05KT 10SM CLR 10/M02 A3014 RMK A01 ## 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 20230120000389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230120000389A), Jan 20, 2023: Eiriavion Oy PIK 20D, Benton, TN, Substantial damage. On January 20th, 2023, at 1:03 EST, the PIC of[privacy data omitted] departed chilhowee gliderport to fly along the ridge line within the area of Benton, TN.… ## Other investigations on N1NZ (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 LAX88LA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA156), Apr 11, 1988: Eiriavion PIK 20D (N1NZ), Saint Helena, CA, minor damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 15, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106616. 4.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15042705&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=LA115%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15013488&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Mark%20Olinger%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 2 photos, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15050159&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20LA115-Rel.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.