# NTSB WPR09CA389: Eiriavion PIK 20B, N77MA, Marana, AZ, August 5, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 5, 2009, 15:25 local (22:25 UTC)
- Place: Marana, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.388053, -111.421669 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3881&lon=-111.4217&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 19, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 74496
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA389
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74496/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74496
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA389

## Probable cause

A loss of lift that resulted in an off-airport landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Eiriavion PIK 20B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=5760204), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)
- [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Eiriavion PIK 20B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=5760204), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Eiriavion PIK 20B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=5760204), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Eiriavion PIK 20B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=5760204), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md)
- [Enroute: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Eiriavion PIK 20B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=5760204), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Eiriavion PIK 20B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5760204), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

While returning from a cross-country glider flight, the pilot reported losing lift and encountering downdrafts along his route. He elected to make an off-airport landing. During the landing approach, the glider impacted the top of a tree at approximately 12 feet above the ground; subsequently, it impacted terrain on the chin of its' fuselage and came to rest in an upright position. The force of the impact resulted in the separation of both wings. Examination of the glider revealed that the fuselage, canopy, and wings were structurally damaged.

## Factual narrative

While returning from a cross-country glider flight, the pilot reported losing lift and encountering downdrafts along his route. He elected to make an off-airport landing. During the landing approach, the glider impacted the top of a tree at approximately 12 feet above the ground; subsequently, it impacted terrain on the chin of its' fuselage and came to rest in an upright position. The force of the impact resulted in the separation of both wings. Examination of the glider revealed that the fuselage, canopy, and wings were structurally damaged.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N77MA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N77MA-2011-01-11), registration cancelled 2011-01-11, S/N 20127C, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EIRIAVION OY PIK 20B
- Registry model: [Eiriavion PIK 20B](https://openairdocs.org/model/eiriavion-pik-20b) (registry code 5760204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 20127C
- Airframe hours: 1213
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Umberger Martin S
- Registered owner: Umberger Martin S
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2009
- Departed: AZ67, Marana, AZ
- Destination: AZ67, Marana, AZ
- Airport: AZ67, El Tiro Gliderport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; last flight review February 22, 2009; seat: front; flight hours: 104 total, 16 in this make and model, 75 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 106 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observed at: KTUS, 28 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 20090805016759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090805016759A), Aug 5, 2009: Eirvon PIK20B, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. On 08/05/2009 at approximately 1500 MST, N77MA (a eiriavon oy pik 20B glider) made an off-airport landing when unable to locate sufficint thermal lift activity…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 31, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74496. 834 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 834 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317979&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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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