N643CACENTRAIR 101A2014-07-04 NTSB Accident Report

Substantial
Minor

CENTRAIR 101AS/N: 101A0188

Summary

On July 04, 2014, a Centrair 101A (N643CA) was involved in an accident near Nephi, UT. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's failure to identify the proper landing surface which resulted in an off airstrip landing and collision with rough terrain.

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.

This accident is documented in NTSB report WPR14CA321. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N643CA.

Accident Details

Date
Friday, July 4, 2014
NTSB Number
WPR14CA321
Location
Nephi, UT
Event ID
20140731X41600
Coordinates
39.736389, -111.870002
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to identify the proper landing surface which resulted in an off airstrip landing and collision with rough terrain.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
CENTRAIR
Serial Number
101A0188
Engine Type
None
Model / ICAO
101A
Aircraft Type
Glider
No. of Engines
0
Seats
1
FAA Model
101A

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
FADDEN MICHAEL D
Address
306 N CLERMONT AVE
City
MARGATE CITY
State / Zip Code
NJ 08402-2030
Country
United States

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.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR14CA321