Incident Eiri-Avion PIK-20B G-DDHN,
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ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 143855
 
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Date:Saturday 18 February 2012
Time:11:50 LT
Type:Silhouette image of generic pik2 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different    
Eiri-Avion PIK-20B
Owner/operator:Private
Registration: G-DDHN
MSN: 20082
Fatalities:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Aircraft damage: Substantial
Location:Near Challock Airfield, Squids Gate Lane, Challock, Ashford -   United Kingdom
Phase: En route
Nature:Private
Departure airport:Challock Airfield, Ashord, Kent (EGKE)
Destination airport:Rochester Airport, Kent (EGTO)
Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources
Narrative:
The glider was rigged by the owner and taken to the launch point using his one man towing kit. It was his intention to fly on the ridge at Challock and follow it as far as Rochester if conditions permitted.

After getting airborne on a winch launch, the pilot was immediately aware of a lack of pitch control but, as the aircraft was stable and climbing well but fast, he elected to continue the launch. This terminated at about 800-900 feet AGL and he found that he was in ridge lift. However, he could not control the glider’s speed and attitude so he decided to abandon the glider and use his parachute whilst he had sufficient height.

The canopy jettisoned cleanly and the pilot rolled over the cockpit side to avoid the tail plane, as he judged there was a real risk that he might collide with it. The parachute deployed without problem and the descent was unremarkable. The strong wind, however, made steering impossible and he ended up suspended by his parachute fairly high in the top of a stand of trees on the ridge. He was able to release himself without difficulty and descend to the ground.

After he abandoned the glider, it rolled inverted and descended ‘sycamore leaf’ style in a spiral. It hit the trees nose low but then rolled erect and finished tail low suspended some 10 feet above the ground with each wing supported by a tree.

Sources:

1. CAA: https://siteapps.caa.co.uk/g-info/
2. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-17088948\
3. https://www.newssniffer.co.uk/articles/495188/diff/0/1
4. http://www.glidesportuk.co.uk/CMS-Images/Pik%2020%20-%20Challock.pdf
5. http://sussexhistoryforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=1851.0
6. http://www.kent-gliding-club.co.uk/
7. https://abpic.co.uk/pictures/view/1309866/

Revision history:

Date/timeContributorUpdates
19-Feb-2012 10:01 Alpine Flight Added
19-Aug-2012 15:31 Dr. John Smith Updated [Aircraft type, Registration, Cn, Operator, Location, Phase, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative]
13-Oct-2012 16:12 Dr. John Smith Updated [Aircraft type, Operator, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative]
03-Nov-2013 10:30 Alpine Flight Updated [Aircraft type, Location, Departure airport, Destination airport]
20-Dec-2016 13:21 Dr. John Smith Updated [Location, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative]

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