Summary
On May 06, 2012, a Eiriavion Oy PIK 20D (N39RB) was involved in an accident near Eagleville, TN. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The glider’s encounter with atmospheric lift conditions not sufficient to maintain flight, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
The pilot reported that he was preparing to land and the wind favored an approach to the north. While on approach to land, he observed another glider being pulled out onto the field. Concerned about obstacle clearance during the landing, he continued on a downwind leg to the north to set up for a landing to the south. The last thing he recalled prior to the accident was a “very strong sink.” The glider collided with a cedar tree, then the ground, about 1,016 feet from the north end of the runway. A witness reported that the glider appeared to climb and then banked hard to the right and rolled upside down before the collision. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration inspected the wreckage and confirmed substantial damage to the empennage.
This accident is documented in NTSB report ERA12CA321. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N39RB.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The glider’s encounter with atmospheric lift conditions not sufficient to maintain flight, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot reported that he was preparing to land and the wind favored an approach to the north. While on approach to land, he observed another glider being pulled out onto the field. Concerned about obstacle clearance during the landing, he continued on a downwind leg to the north to set up for a landing to the south. The last thing he recalled prior to the accident was a “very strong sink.” The glider collided with a cedar tree, then the ground, about 1,016 feet from the north end of the runway. A witness reported that the glider appeared to climb and then banked hard to the right and rolled upside down before the collision. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration inspected the wreckage and confirmed substantial damage to the empennage. His inspection of the wreckage revealed that the glider was airworthy at the time of the accident. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failure that would have precluded normal operation of the glider.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA12CA321