# NTSB SEA00LA144: Eiriavion PIK 20E, N27RT, Hamilton, MT, July 26, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 25, 2000, 18:10 local (Jul 26, 2000, 00:10 UTC) - Place: Hamilton, MT - Coordinates: 46.159053, -114.140869 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1591&lon=-114.1409&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 9, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 51328 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA00LA144 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51328/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00LA144 ## Probable cause The pilot's entering an inadvertent stall condition during a high angle of bank turn (maneuvering), and the lack of adequate altitude in which to successfully recover before ground impact. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - altitude - inadequate (cause) ## Analysis The pilot returned to his departure airport in the powered glider and entered a left downwind for runway 34. During his approach he decided he was too high and fast and executed a go-around with the intention of executing a 180 degree course reversal and landing on the reciprocal runway. A witness reported that during a high angle of bank turn and climb of about 50 feet, the aircraft entered a stall. The pilot reported that he initiated a recovery but that he 'had insufficient ground clearance to re-establish level flight and impacted the ground.' ## Factual narrative On July 25, 2000, approximately 1810 mountain daylight time, an Eiriavion Oy PIK 20E powered glider, N27RT, co-registered to and being flown by a private pilot, was destroyed during an in-flight collision with terrain following a loss of control during a go-around maneuver at Ravalli County airport, Hamilton, Montana. The pilot sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal, was operated under 14CFR91, and originated at Hamilton, Montana, approximately 1715. The pilot reported that after engaging in soaring activity for a while he returned to the Ravalli County airport and entered a left downwind for runway 34. He further reported that "...final approach was too high and too fast" and that he "resolved to travel up the runway, make a 180 [degree] turn (wind and traffic not a factor) and land on RWY [runway] 16." The pilot also reported that he "made a climbing ste[e]p turn to the right and began a 180 [degree turn] to the left. Near the end of the turn, [he] over-banked and, sensing an on-coming accelerated stall, leveled the wings and dropped the nose to assume recovery. With recovery assured, [he] pulled the nose level but had insufficient ground clearance to re-establish level flight and impacted the ground" (refer to attached NTSB Form 6120.1/2). A witness (and co-owner of the aircraft) reported observing the glider begin its flare for runway 34 and stated that the glider "...seemed pretty fast...." He described the glider as climbing about 50 feet and then making a "sharp" 60 degree left turn, and noted that the glider's wings were near vertical. He stated that "...the stall occurred, [and] the glider nosed down but recovered just before hitting the soft grassy sand." (refer to attached statement). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N27RT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N27RT-2012-08-24), registration cancelled 2012-08-24, S/N 20208, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Eiriavion Oy PIK 20E - Registry model: [Eiriavion PIK 20E](https://openairdocs.org/model/eiriavion-pik-20e) (registry code 5760207) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 20208 - Airframe hours: 753 - Engines: Rotax 501 43 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Valeo, James G. - Registered owner: Gerardis, Schmidt, & Valeo - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 14, 2000, 33 hours before - Departed: 6S5 - Airport: 6S5, Ravalli County, runway 34, 4,200 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 782 total, 6 in this make and model, 534 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MSO, 39 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 20000725007539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000725007539A), Jul 25, 2000: Eirvon PIK20E, Hamilton, MT, No damage. (-23) The PIC stated that while on approach, he thought that he was coming in for a landing a little high. He stated that he realized that the glider was not… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.