Schempp-Hirth CIRRUS N3839

Summary

On 26 April 2003 at about 20:50 local time, a Schempp-Hirth CIRRUS registered N3839 was involved in an accident near Ephrata, Washington, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 April 2003 at 20:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Ephrata, Washington, United States

Nearest airport

Ephrata Municipal (EPH)

Coordinates

47.3128, -119.5000

Aircraft

Schempp-Hirth CIRRUS

Registration

N3839

Category

Glider

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Ephrata → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA03LA072

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while on final approach for landing. Low airspeed was a factor.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that while returning to the airport for landing, he entered the traffic pattern downwind leg about one mile southwest of the airport after encountering "strong sinking air." The pilot stated that he flew a faster and lower then normal pattern, with "an abbreviated base to final in order to shorten the distance to the landing area." During the round out for final approach, approximately 10 feet AGL, he deployed the spoilers. The pilot was unsure if the airspeed was too low, or there was a gust of wind, when the right wing dropped and struck the ground. The glider pivoted to the right followed by the tail striking the ground. The pilot reported that the side loading applied to the landing gear resulted in substantial damage to the steel tubing structure and a puncture in the right wing skin.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.