# NTSB SEA03LA072: Schempp-Hirth Cirrus, N3839, Ephrata, WA, April 26, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 26, 2003, 13:50 local (20:50 UTC) - Place: Ephrata, WA - Coordinates: 47.312778, -119.5 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3128&lon=-119.5000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56895 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA03LA072 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56895/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA072 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while on final approach for landing. Low airspeed was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - low, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot reported that while returning to the airport for landing, he entered the traffic pattern downwind leg about one mile southwest of the airport after encountering "strong sinking air." The pilot stated that he flew a faster and lower then normal pattern, with "an abbreviated base to final in order to shorten the distance to the landing area." During the round out for final approach, approximately 10 feet AGL, he deployed the spoilers. The pilot was unsure if the airspeed was too low, or there was a gust of wind, when the right wing dropped and struck the ground. The glider pivoted to the right followed by the tail striking the ground. The pilot reported that the side loading applied to the landing gear resulted in substantial damage to the steel tubing structure and a puncture in the right wing skin. ## Factual narrative On April 26, 2003, approximately 1350 Pacific daylight time, a Schempp-Hirth Cirrus glider, N3839, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with the terrain while on final approach for landing at Ephrata Municipal, Ephrata, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The glider was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. The flight originated from Ephrata at 1300. During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that while returning to the airport for landing, he entered the traffic pattern downwind leg about one mile southwest of the airport after encountering "strong sinking air." The pilot stated that he flew a faster and lower than normal pattern, with "an abbreviated base to final in order to shorten the distance to the landing area." During the round out for final approach, approximately 10 feet above ground level, he deployed the spoilers. The pilot was unsure if the airspeed was too low, or there was a gust of wind, when the right wing dropped and struck the ground. The glider pivoted to the right followed by the tail striking the ground. The pilot reported that the side loading applied to the landing gear resulted in substantial damage to the steel tubing structure and a puncture in the right wing skin. The 1353 Ephrata surface weather observation was reporting winds from 310 degrees at nine knots. The sky was clear with 10 miles visibility. The temperature was 10 degrees Celsius. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3839](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3839-2020-12-04), registration cancelled 2020-12-04, S/N 39, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schempp-Hirth Cirrus - Registry model: [Schempp-Hirth CIRRUS](https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-cirrus) (registry code 38019VC) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 39 - Airframe hours: 1695 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William S. Allan - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 2003, 4 hours before - Departed: EPH, Ephrata, WA - Airport: EPH, Ephrata Municipal, runway 20, 6,700 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 26, 2001; seat: center; flight hours: 1,116 total, 131 in this make and model, 1,017 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: EPH ## 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 20030426007199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030426007199A), Apr 26, 2003: Sphrth CIRRUS, Ephrata, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was on short final about to round out for landing when he deployed the spoilers and dropped about 10 feet to the landing surface. The right wing… 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.