# NTSB LAX84LA262: Molino PIK-20B, N222PK, El Mirage, CA, April 15, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 15, 1984, 14:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: El Mirage, CA
- Coordinates: 34.4906, -117.360671 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4906&lon=-117.3607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24236
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA262
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24236/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA262

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - windshear (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - stall - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT WHEN HE WAS 1/2 MI FROM THE RWY AT 835 FT AGL, HIS AIRSPEED WAS 70 KTS. WHILE DESCENDING THROUGH 400 FT AGL, HIS AIRSPEED FLICKERED 3 TIMES TO ZERO. THE 3RD TIME, IT STAYED AT ZERO & THE GLIDER DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE REPORTED WIND 11 MI EAST WAS 160 DEG AT 10 KTS GUSTING 18 KTS. THE REPORTED WIND 22 MI NW WAS 160 DEG AT 1 KT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT AT THE ARPT, THE WINDSOCK ON TOP OF A LARGEHANGER INDICATED THE WIND WAS FROM 070 DEG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N222PK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N222PK), registered now, S/N 20027, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOLINO OY PIK-20B
- Registry model: [Molino PIK-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/molino-pik-20) (registry code 5760103) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 20027
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wolfgang K. Wirthgen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, February 25, 1984, 8 hours before
- Airport: L69, El Mirage Sky Ranch, runway 7, 3,200 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,835 total, 22 in this make and model, 18 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VCV, 11 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 19840415014409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840415014409A), Apr 15, 1984: Eirvon PIK20B, El Mirage, CA, Substantial damage. Crash landed short of the runway. Gusty variable surface wind would indicate a windshear problem.

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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