# NTSB GAA16CA016: Central Missouri State Univ HP 14, N102MW, Jackson, NH, October 14, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 14, 2015, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Jackson, NH - Coordinates: 44.211944, -71.254165 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2119&lon=-71.2542&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 17, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Portland FSDO (FAA) - NTSB case key (mKey): 92189 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA016 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92189/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92189 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA016 ## Probable cause The glider pilot's decision to descend into a broken to overcast cloud layer, which resulted in encountering instrument meteorological conditions and the pilot parachuting from the glider. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of planning for an alternate airport. ## 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: [Central Missouri State Univ HP-14, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05675VF), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: flight planning/navigation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Central Missouri State Univ HP-14, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md?model=05675VF), [All aircraft, 179 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: clouds](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition; cases with it: [Central Missouri State Univ HP-14, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035025/cases.md?model=05675VF), [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-descent: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402) (defining event); cases with it: [Central Missouri State Univ HP-14, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md?model=05675VF), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md) ## Analysis During a local flight, the pilot of the glider reported that he found a hole to climb above a cloud layer and rode mountain wave updrafts to 17,500 feet mean sea level (MSL). While cruising at 17,500 feet, the pilot observed multiple holes in the cloud layer below and could see the "entire east behind me was still open." About 20 to 25 minutes later, the pilot began hearing reports over the radio that "precipitation was moving in" and the "cloud deck was thickening" at the departure airport. The pilot decided to dive for the "the last two remaining holes" in the cloud layer, but during the descent his "primary window" closed and he continued south to the last remaining window. While flying in this window, the pilot reported that he was unable to maintain altitude and then was unable to maintain visual meteorological conditions due to the increasing cloud layers. The pilot descended about 2,000 feet while in instrument meteorological conditions for about two minutes and did not see "any sign of the cloud base." About 6,400 feet MSL (2,200 feet above ground level), the pilot decided that his "safest option" remaining was to "bailout." Subsequently, the pilot placed his right hand on his parachute "D ring" and then "jumped, arched, and pulled." The parachute opened and the pilot landed safely in the tree canopy below, and the glider continued flying for a few miles and impacted trees. The canopy and left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. About 5 hours before takeoff, a terminal aerodrome forecast issued for an airport about 12 nautical miles northwest of the glider's flight path, called for a ceiling of 3,500 feet overcast during the glider's flight. About the time of the accident, 18 nautical miles southeast of the glider's flight path an automated surface observing system reported a cloud layer of 4,900 feet few and 5,500 feet few. ## Factual narrative During a local flight, the pilot of the glider reported that he found a hole to climb above a cloud layer and rode mountain wave updrafts to 17,500 feet mean sea level (MSL). While cruising at 17,500 feet, the pilot observed multiple holes in the cloud layer below and could see the "entire east behind me was still open." About 20 to 25 minutes later, the pilot began hearing reports over the radio that "precipitation was moving in" and the "cloud deck was thickening" at the departure airport. The pilot decided to dive for the "the last two remaining holes" in the cloud layer, but during the descent his "primary window" closed and he continued south to the last remaining window. While flying in this window, the pilot reported that he was unable to maintain altitude and then was unable to maintain visual meteorological conditions due to the increasing cloud layers. The pilot descended about 2,000 feet while in instrument meteorological conditions for about two minutes and did not see "any sign of the cloud base." About 6,400 feet MSL (2,200 feet above ground level), the pilot decided that his "safest option" remaining was to "bailout." Subsequently, the pilot placed his right hand on his parachute "D ring" and then "jumped, arched, and pulled." The parachute opened and the pilot landed safely in the tree canopy below, and the glider continued flying for a few miles and impacted trees. The canopy and left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. About 5 hours before takeoff, a terminal aerodrome forecast issued for an airport about 12 nautical miles northwest of the glider's flight path, called for a ceiling of 3,500 feet overcast during the glider's flight. About the time of the accident, 18 nautical miles southeast of the glider's flight path an automated surface observing system reported a cloud layer of 4,900 feet few and 5,500 feet few. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N102MW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N102MW-2018-05-03), registration cancelled 2018-05-03, S/N 44, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CENTRAL MISSOURI STATE UNIV HP 14 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Central Missouri State Univ HP-14](https://openairdocs.org/model/central-missouri-state-univ-hp-14) (registry code 05675VF) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider, amateur-built - Serial number: 44 - Year built: 1985 - Airframe hours: 140 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 20, 2015 - Departed: 2G8, GORHAM, NH - Destination: 2G8, GORHAM, NH - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Data recorder ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; commercial, private, flight instructor; last flight review October 20, 2013; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 267 total, 47 in this make and model, 240 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.62 inHg - Turbulence: Moderate - Observed at: KHIE, 15 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 20151014023829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151014023829A), Oct 14, 2015: Central Missouri State Univ HP-14, Jackson, NH, Minor damage. Pilot stated that at approxiamately 17,500 feet weather started closing in. Desended in a spirl, exit closed at approximately 6500 feet. Pilot stated that he… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 14, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92189. 6.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434940&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Written Statement (Pilot in Command) (item 2, .PDF, 157 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434941&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Written%20Statement%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF - Flight Path (Data Courtesy of Operator) (item 3, .PDF, 811 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434942&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Path%20(Data%20Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-Master.PDF - Weather Information (item 4, .PDF, 108 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434944&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Information-Master.PDF - Docket Photos (Courtesy of Operator) (item 5, .PDF, 3 photos, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434943&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Docket%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-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. --- 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.