# NTSB LAX96LA144: Eiriavion PIK 20D, N4HT, Hollister, CA, March 23, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 23, 1996, 13:48 local (21:48 UTC)
- Place: Hollister, CA
- Coordinates: 36.890022, -121.239471 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8900&lon=-121.2395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 20, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29397
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29397/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA144

## Probable cause

the pilot's improper in-flight decision to take a longer than necessary route back to the airport during a period of marginal lift.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - no thermal lift (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight to new destination - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

According to the pilot, after an aerial tow aloft he soared in thermals above nearby ridges as he flew toward the San Luis Reservoir.  As the thermals began to dissipate he turned back toward Hollister and took what he described as the long route to [the airport].  The lack of available lift precluded making the airport and he landed in an open field. As the right wing dropped, the tip snagged in a large gopher hole and the aircraft ground looped, damaging the wing and empennage.

## Factual narrative

On March 23, 1996, at 1348 hours Pacific standard time, a Eiriavion Oy PIK 20D glider, N4HT, drug a wing and ground looped while making a forced landing in an open field near Hollister, California.  The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot and was on a local personal soaring flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The aircraft sustained substantial damage and the private pilot was not injured.  The flight originated from Hollister about 1230.

According to the pilot, after an aerial tow aloft he soared in thermals above nearby ridges as he flew toward the San Luis Reservoir.  As the thermals began to dissipate he turned back toward Hollister and took what he described as "the long route to [the airport]."  The lack of available lift precluded making the airport and he landed in an open field.  As the right wing dropped, the tip snagged in a large gopher hole and the aircraft ground looped, damaging the wing and empennage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4HT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4HT), registered now, S/N 20637, 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: 20637
- Airframe hours: 804
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Armand A. Medeiros
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 20, 1995, 30 hours before
- Departed: 307, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 121 total, 17 in this make and model, 58 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19960323005009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960323005009A), Mar 23, 1996: Eirvon PIK20D, Hollister, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot was landing in grassy field, on roll out wing dipped and struck the ground. Ground looped, damaged tail boom. (.4)according to the pilot, after an aerial…

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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