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NTSB Report
May 21, 1995 · Purdy HP-18 · N15DP
Hempstead, TX
Overview
Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 21, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Hempstead, TX
Aircraft
Purdy HP-18
Tail Number
N15DP
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW95LA209
THE GLIDER BEGAN DESCENDING DUE TO THE LACK OF THERMAL LIFTING. WHEN THE GLIDER HAD DESCENDED BELOW 1000 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL (AGL), THE PILOT MADE THE DECISION TO MAKE A LANDING TO AN OPEN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE GLIDER'S LEFT WING STRUCK A HAY BALE, CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE WING. THE PILOT STATED IN THE PILOT/OPERATOR REPORT THAT THIS ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY HAVING 'A LANDING SPOT AND PATTERN SET UP PRIOR TO DESCENDING BELOW 1000 FEET AGL.'
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S POOR IN FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION. THE LACK OF THERMAL LIFT WAS A FACTOR.
Full Narrative
On May 21, 1995, at 1445 central daylight time, a Purdy HP-18, N15DP, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Hempstead, Texas. The pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight. The pilot reported the following information to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector. The glider began descending due to the lack of thermal lifting. When the glider had descended below 1000 feet above ground level (AGL), the pilot made the decision to make a landing to an open field. During the landing roll the glider's left wing struck a hay bale, causing substantial damage to the wing. The pilot stated in the Pilot/Operator Report that this accident could have been prevented by having "a landing spot and pattern set up prior to descending below 1000 feet AGL."
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:45 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPurdy HP-18
Tail NumberN15DP
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 54 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 10 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO