# NTSB LAX88LA156: Eiriavion PIK 20D, N1NZ, Saint Helena, CA, April 11, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 10, 1988, 16:00 local (Apr 11, 1988, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Saint Helena, CA
- Coordinates: 38.550628, -122.390571 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5506&lon=-122.3906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25983
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25983/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA156

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT DEPARTED VACAVILLE GLIDERPORT ON AN AERO TOW. THE PLT INTENDED TO FLY TO CALISTOGA, CA AND RETURN. AFTER PASSING ST. HELENA, CA, THE THERMAL ACTIVITY BEGAN TO DECREASE. THE PLT EXECUTED A 180 DEG TURN TO RETURN TO VACAVILLE. WHEN THE FLT WAS OVER ST. HELENA, THE THERMAL ACTIVITY DIMINISHED FURTHER AND THE PLT ELECTED TO EXECUTE A PRECAUTIONARY LNDG IN AN OPEN FLD. THE PREVAILING SURFACE WINDS WERE FROM THE NORTH & THE FLD HE SELECTED SLOPED UPWARD TO THE NORTH. THE PLT LANDED TO THE NORTH & DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT THE GLIDER STRUCK A DITCH WHICH CROSSED THE LANDING AREA.

## 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
- Airframe hours: 976
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN unknown
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Niedrauer, Jerome J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 1987, 49 hours before
- Departed: CA58, VACAVILLE, CA
- Destination: CA58
- Airport: 203

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; seat: front; flight hours: 179 total, 112 in this make and model, 163 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19880410013339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880410013339A), Apr 10, 1988: Eirvon PIK20D, Saint Helena, CA, Minor damage. Unable to return on a round-robin flight due to lack of thermals and low altitude. Landing in a field hit a ditch.

## 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 ERA23LA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA115), Jan 20, 2023: Eiriavion PIK-20D (N1NZ), Benton, TN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s decision to turn toward a mountain ridge in a thermal, which resulted in a collision with terrain.

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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