Eiriavion Oy PIK 20B accident near Ephrata, Washington, September 10, 1995
On September 10, 1995, a Eiriavion Oy PIK 20B (glider), registered CFTSW, was substantially damaged in an accident near Ephrata, Washington. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM FROM THE FENCE POST. THE SUNGLARE WAS A FACTOR.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 10, 1995
- Place
- Ephrata, Washington · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Eiriavion Oy PIK 20B · all PIK 20Bs on the register
- Registration
- CFTSW · no longer on the register · serial 20151C
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE BEGAN THE DESCENT TO THE RUNWAY FROM ABOUT 40 MILES WEST OF THE AIRPORT. WHEN THE GLIDER WAS APPROXIMATELY SEVEN MILES WEST, THE WIND SHIFTED AND THE GLIDER EXPERIENCED EXTREME SINK. THE PILOT DID NOT FEEL THAT THE GLIDER WOULD MAKE IT TO THE RUNWAY AND OPTED TO MAKE AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING ON THE UPSLOPE SIDE OF A HILL. THE PILOT SAID THAT WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO THE HILL, THE SUN WAS IN HIS EYES AND HE DID NOT SEE THE FENCE POST WHICH THE RIGHT WING STRUCK. THE GLIDER SPUN AROUND AND BROKE UP BEFORE COMING TO REST.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: instructor: glider; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 317 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 783 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 15, 1995; 76 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 990 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: EPH WA at 8:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.