# NTSB SEA92LA151: Berkshire Mfg. Concept 70, N382W, Ephrata, WA, July 12, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1992, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Ephrata, WA
- Coordinates: 47.26902, -119.589103 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2690&lon=-119.5891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42852
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42852/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA151

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: NO THERMAL LIFT AND ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN.

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL FLIGHT, SHORTLY AFTER DISCONNECT FROM THE TOW PLANE, THE PILOT REALIZED THAT THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT THERMAL LIFT IN THE AREA. THE FLIGHT WAS RETURNING TO THE AIRPORT WHEN THE PILOT REALIZED THAT HE WAS TOO FAR OUT AND TOO LOW TO MAKE IT TO THE AIRPORT. THE PILOT THEN INITIATED A FORCED LANDING TO AN OPEN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE GLIDER COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, maneuvering
  - weather condition - no thermal lift (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N382W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N382W), registered now, S/N 15, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BERKSHIRE MFG. CONCEPT 70
- Registry model: [Berkshire Mfg. CONCEPT 70](https://openairdocs.org/model/berkshire-mfg-concept-70) (registry code 1240104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider, amateur-built
- Serial number: 15
- Airframe hours: 1274
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jones, James P.
- Registered owner: Jones, James P.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1992, 12 hours before
- Departed: EPH, EPHRATA, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; seat: center; flight hours: 62 total, 16 in this make and model, 31 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19920712025049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920712025049A), Jul 12, 1992: Amtrbs CONCEPT70, Ephrata, WA, Substantial damage. Lacked thermals. Began return to airport but too low. Landed in tall grass field. Struck rock hidden in grass.

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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