# NTSB LAX07CA133: Jiran FJ-1, N366W, Banks, OR, April 22, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 22, 2007, 14:27 local (21:27 UTC)
- Place: Banks, OR
- Coordinates: 45.58361, -123.145835
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5836&lon=-123.1458&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 27, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65637
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA133
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65637/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA133

## Probable cause

the pilot's misjudged distance/altitude that led to a failure to attain the proper touchdown point.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - no thermal lift
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing
  - distance/altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - other
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The glider experienced a loss of lift and collided with a bench during a forced landing in a field.  A towplane launched the glider, releasing it 4 nautical miles southwest of the departure airport at an altitude of 2,700 msl.  The pilot discovered several thermals in the area and ascended to 3,700 feet msl.  Shortly thereafter, the glider encountered rain showers and began to lose altitude.  Though the bad weather appeared as though it was dissipating, the glider continued to descend.  The pilot opted to land in a plowed field.  The glider touched down in the field farther down than the pilot anticipated.  The pilot did not have a sufficient distance to stop before the glider's right wing collided with a robust bench.

## Factual narrative

The glider experienced a loss of lift and collided with a bench during a forced landing in a field.  In a written statement, the pilot reported that prior to departure he spoke with a McMinnville Flight Service Station (FSS) briefer.  He received a weather forecast indicating that the top of lift was to be 5,300 feet mean sea level (msl).

The pilot further stated that a towplane launched the glider, releasing it 4 nautical miles southwest of the departure airport at an altitude of 2,700 msl.  The pilot discovered several thermals in the area and ascended to 3,700 feet msl.  Shortly thereafter, the glider encountered rain showers and began to lose altitude.  Though the bad weather appeared as though it was dissipating, the glider continued to descend.  The pilot opted to land in a plowed field.  The glider touched down in the field farther down than the pilot anticipated.  The pilot did not have a sufficient distance to stop before the glider's right wing collided with a robust bench.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N366W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N366W), registered now, S/N 1, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Jiran FJ-1
- Registry model: [Jiran FJ-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/jiran-fj-1) (registry code 0562955) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 1OR4, North Plains, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; flight hours: 331 total, 276 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F

## 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 20070422006719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070422006719A), Apr 22, 2007: Amtr FJ1, Banks, OR, Substantial damage. (-23) At approximately 12:30 pm on 22 April, 2007, a JD-4 glider, registration N366W was launched behind a tow plane at an altitude of 2,700' MSL. The duration…

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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