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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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August 7, 1995 · Schempp-Hirth Ventus A · N307L

Rocksprings, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 7, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Rocksprings, TX
Aircraft
Schempp-Hirth Ventus A
Tail Number
N307L
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW95LA335

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, AS HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE TO GLIDE SPEED, HE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH ELEVATOR CONTROL. HE SAID HE HAD TO APPLY FULL ELEVATOR BEFORE THE GLIDER WOULD RESPOND TO THE CONTROL INPUTS AND THAT IT RESPONDED VERY SLOWLY.' THE PILOT WAS GOING TO LAND ON A RANCH ROAD; HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THE CONTROL PROBLEM, HE DETERMINED IT WAS SAFER TO BAIL OUT. THE GLIDER IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE, DAMAGING THE FUSELAGE, HORIZONTAL STABILIZER, AND CANOPY. EXAMINATION OF THE GLIDER REVEALED THAT MYLAR TAPE, WHICH WAS USED AS A GAP SEAL FOR THE ELEVATOR, HAD PARTIALLY SEPARATED.

NTSB Probable Cause

DEBONDING OF MYLAR TAPE THAT WAS USED TO SEAL A GAP ON THE ELEVATOR, WHICH RESULTED IN INADEQUATE ELEVATOR CONTROL AUTHORITY.

Full Narrative

On August 7, 1995, at 1730 central daylight time, a Schempp-Hirth Ventus A, N307L, was substantially damaged following a loss of control near Rocksprings, Texas. The airline transport rated pilot received minor injuries. The glider was being operated as a personal flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated in Uvalde, Texas, at 1345. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the round robin flight. During a telephone interview with the investigator-in-charge the pilot reported that when he attempted to accelerate to glide airspeed he experienced problems with elevator control. He had to apply full elevator before the glider would respond to control inputs. It also responded "very slowly" to the elevator control inputs. The pilot further reported he was going to land on a ranch road; however, because of the control problem he elected to bail out. The glider impacted the ground in a level attitude damaging the fuselage, horizontal stabilizer, and canopy. Examination of the glider by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the Mylar tape, which was used as a gap seal for the elevator, had partially separated.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchempp-Hirth Ventus A
Tail NumberN307L
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 33 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility35 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point10 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data