# NTSB NYC06CA150: Eiriavion PIK 20B, N29JH, Mt. Holly Sprin, PA, June 17, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 17, 2006, 16:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Mt. Holly Sprin, PA
- Coordinates: 40.072776, -77.195274
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0728&lon=-77.1953&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Harrisburg
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63935
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06CA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63935/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA150

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from trees along his final approach path.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing
  - weather condition - no thermal lift (contributing factor)
  - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not obtained, pilot in command
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

After approximately 2 hours of cross-country soaring, the pilot headed back toward the departure airport. Unable to find adequate thermal lift, the pilot altered course toward a group of gliders who had encountered thermals. Finding no source of lift near the other gliders, and unable to reach the airport, he chose an open field for a forced landing. During the landing approach, the pilot executed an "S-turn" with the flaps fully extended and with steep bank angles, which resulted in a "faster than expected" altitude loss. The glider struck trees bordering the intended landing field, resulting in substantial damage.

## Factual narrative

After approximately 2 hours of cross-country soaring, the pilot headed back toward the departure airport. Unable to find adequate thermal lift, the pilot altered course toward a group of gliders who had encountered thermals. Finding no source of lift near the other gliders, and unable to reach the airport, he chose an open field for a forced landing. During the landing approach, the pilot executed an "S-turn" with the flaps fully extended and with steep bank angles, which resulted in a "faster than expected" altitude loss. The glider struck trees bordering the intended landing field, resulting in substantial damage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N29JH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N29JH), registered now, S/N 20061, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Eiriavion Oy PIK 20B
- Registry model: [Molino PIK-20B](https://openairdocs.org/model/molino-pik-20b) (registry code 5760104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 20061
- Airframe hours: 2799
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2006
- Departed: W73, Fairfield, PA
- Destination: W73, Fairfield, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; last flight review June 1, 2005; seat: center; flight hours: 3,622 total, 1,787 in this make and model, 3,603 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 6 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observed at: KHGR

## 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 20060617021879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060617021879A), Jun 17, 2006: Eirvon PIK20E, Carlisle, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot lost lift in a steep (full flap 90 degree) bank, while in a turn to a landing field. The field was a hay field in the vicinity of the Carlisle…

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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