Avia Stroitel AC-5M accident near Bend, OR

On June 30, 2020, an Avia Stroitel AC-5M (glider) was involved in an accident near Bend, OR. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.

Date

June 30, 2020

Place

Bend, OR

Aircraft

Avia Stroitel AC-5M · Glider

Injuries

1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor

Damage

Destroyed

Position

44.102°N, 121.198°W

NTSB ID

20200630X95254

Official records · WPR20LA201

• Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation

NTSB summary

HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn June 30, 2020, at 1324 Pacific daylight time, an Aviastroitel AC-5M motorglider, N263R, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Bend, Oregon. The pilot was fatally injured. The glider was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. The pilot was departing in the self-launching motorglider when the accident occurred. A video of the glider’s takeoff roll revealed that the glider’s right wing remained low for much of the takeoff roll. The video did not capture the initial climb or the accident. A witness stated that, once airborne, the glider began to climb rapidly. The glider then banked to the right and entered a “dive” to ground contact. Another witness stated that, shortly after takeoff, the glider “went directly vertical” then banked to the right before diving toward the ground. A postcrash fire ensued and the glider was destroyed. PERSONNEL INFORMATIONThe pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and glider. His most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical certificate was issued in April 2004, at which time he reported 1,500 total hours of flight experience. The pilot completed the requirements for operation under BasicMed in February 2020. His recent flight experience and his experience in the accident glider make and model was not determined. AIRCRAFT INFORMATIONAccording to FAA records, the glider was originally issued an FAA airworthiness certificate in the Experimental – Exhibition category on October 28, 2002. The glider was then exported

Probable cause

A loss of control just after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

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• Cessna 172, Jun 23, 2012

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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.