# NTSB WPR21LA235: HPH Glasflugel, N974CQ, Winthrop, WA, June 20, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: June 20, 2021, 15:16 local (22:16 UTC)
- Place: Winthrop, WA · Camp Ground
- Coordinates: 48.625833, -120.1545 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.6258&lon=-120.1545&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: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 103311
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA235
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103311/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA235

## Probable cause

The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight.

## Findings

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

- [Temp/humidity/pressure: thermal lifting](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [HPH GLASFLUGEL 304CZ-17, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031040/cases.md?model=056118I), [All aircraft, 53 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031040/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: [HPH GLASFLUGEL 304CZ-17, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=056118I), [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: [HPH GLASFLUGEL 304CZ-17, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=056118I), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [HPH GLASFLUGEL 304CZ-17, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=056118I), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [HPH GLASFLUGEL 304CZ-17, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056118I), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The glider pilot reported that after an uneventful tow to 4,000 ft msl (about 2,300 ft agl), he proceeded to fly north with the intention of reaching a mountain peak about 40 miles away. Soaring conditions were good, and the glider had climbed to about 10,500 ft msl by the time he reached a peak at the halfway point. On the second leg, the glider started to encounter sink, and the pilot continued to fly along mountain ridges to regain altitude. The pilot managed to climb the glider back to 8,000 ft, but again began to encounter sink and decided to work along mountain ridges back to the south with the intention of landing at an intermediary airport. He was not able to maintain altitude, and ultimately decided to perform an off-airport landing into a valley clearing. During the landing roll the right wing was substantially damaged when it struck a tree. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N974CQ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N974CQ), registered now, S/N 43-17, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HPH LTD GLASFLUGEL (304CZ-17)
- Registry model: [HPH GLASFLUGEL 304CZ-17](https://openairdocs.org/model/hph-glasflugel-304cz-17) (registry code 056118I) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 43-17
- Year built: 2001
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Other
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2020, 20 hours before
- Departed: 2S0, Twisp, WA
- Flight plan: Military VFR
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; last flight review May 28, 2020; seat: single; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 1,606.9 total, 148.5 in this make and model, 1,595.5 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 111 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.65 inHg
- Observed at: KOMK, 27 nm away
- METAR: METAR KOMK 302153Z AUTO 20007KT 10SM CLR 44/09 A2965 RMK AO2 SLP023 T04440089=

## 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 20210620010319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210620010319A), Jun 20, 2021: Hph Ltd GLASFLUGEL 304CZ-17, Winthrop, WA, Substantial damage. Glider pilot[privacy data omitted] of N974CQ attempting a return for landing to Methow State S52, could not make it all the way back and selected a open…

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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