# NTSB WPR14CA321: Centrair 101A, N643CA, Nephi, UT, July 4, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 4, 2014, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Nephi, UT - Coordinates: 39.736389, -111.870002 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7364&lon=-111.8700&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 20, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 89770 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA321 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89770/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89770 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA321 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to identify the proper landing surface which resulted in an off airstrip landing and collision with rough terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Centrair 101A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=1990102), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Centrair 101A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=1990102), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Centrair 101A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1990102), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Centrair 101A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=1990102), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while on downwind he elected to land on the grass runway parallel to the asphalt runway. As he crossed the threshold for the landing area, he realized he was landing onto a grass field next to the grass runway. With the glider too low to transition to the grass runway, the pilot continued to land onto the field. During the landing sequence, the glider impacted two culverts and sustained substantial damage to the fiberglass fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would preclude normal operation of the glider. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while on downwind he elected to land on the grass runway parallel to the asphalt runway. As he crossed the threshold for the landing area, he realized he was landing onto a grass field next to the grass runway. With the glider too low to transition to the grass runway, the pilot continued to land onto the field. During the landing sequence, the glider impacted two culverts and sustained substantial damage to the fiberglass fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would preclude normal operation of the glider. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N643CA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N643CA), registered now, S/N 101A0188 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CENTRAIR 101A - Registry model: [Centrair 101A](https://openairdocs.org/model/centrair-101a) (registry code 1990102) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 101A0188 - Airframe hours: 654 - Engines: N/A N/A none - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Bick Frederic A - Registered owner: Bick Frederic A - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 24, 2014 - Departed: U14, Nephi, UT - Destination: U14, Nephi, UT - Airport: U14, Nephi Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: minor; private; last flight review July 13, 2012; seat: single; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 299 total, 123 in this make and model, 263 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 4 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 16,000 ft - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: PVU, 30 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 20140704011209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140704011209A), Jul 4, 2014: Centrair 101A, Nephi, UT, Substantial damage. Pilot departed Nephi Utah (U14) for a local glider flight. The pilot stated that he had turned final being lined up with runway 17. He then decided to line up… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 10, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89770. 260 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 260 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417623&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. --- 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.