ROCHESTER, VT, USA
N1043G
Eiriavion Oy PIK-20E
The pilot was on a non-stop round-trip flight in a motorized glider as a contestant in a competition flight. En route he encountered sinking air and tried to start the engine. He was unable to start it and believed that he had flooded the engine, which he later attributed to 'the pressure of the circumstances.' According to the pilot, he then selected a field to land, but the glider collided with trees about 300 feet short of the field.
On June 23, 1997, about 1530 eastern daylight time, a Eiriavion Oy, PIK-20E, N1043G, a motorized glider, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in Rochester, Vermont. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight which departed from Springfield, Vermont, about 1215. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that he participated in a competition flight that departed Springfield, Vermont. The plan was to overfly Warren, Vermont, and return to Springfield. In the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot stated: "Flew the glider in vicinity of Hartness/Springfield airport ~ 1hour, then set for Sugarbush, VT, up Rte 100 valley. Fair progress ~ 4-5000' ASL, but over Rochester, VT, hit severe sink, tried to start engine, but probably flooded it, sinking ~ 1000'/min. Selected hayed field, flew pattern, but sink put me in trees on final 300' short of field...." An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated: "...During a discussion as to why the engine did not start, he...stated that he probably flooded it. He said the engine always runs good, but it floods very easy and then will not start. He said he is sure that because of the pressure of the circumstances that he flooded the engine. Due to his close proximity ot the ground he did not have time to attempt another start, he was concerned with flying the aircraft...."
The pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather that consisted of downdrafts and his inadequate start procedures that resulted in a forced landing and collision with trees.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
