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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

June 15, 1998 · Schempp-Hirth Ventus CM · N94DP

Taos, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 15, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Taos, NM
Aircraft
Schempp-Hirth Ventus CM
Tail Number
N94DP
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW98LA284

During final approach for landing the 27 horsepower motor glider was subjected to winds which increased from 10 knots to 24 knots with gusts to 37 knots. The landing was hard, causing damage to the wings and bottom of the fuselage.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper flare. Contributing to the accident was the sudden wind shift which rendered the aircraft uncontrollable when the aircraft was on final approach to land.

Full Narrative

On June 14, 1998, at 1930 mountain daylight time, a Schempp-Hirth, 27 horsepower motorized, Ventus CM glider, N94DP, sustained substantial damage during landing at Taos Municipal Airport, Taos, New Mexico. The commercial pilot and sole occupant was not injured. The flight was being operated under Title 14 CFR part 91 and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this personal flight which departed Taos at 1415. According to the facility that is repairing the aircraft, both wings and the bottom side of the fuselage sustained substantial damage due to a hard landing. The occurrence was not classified as an accident until this assessment was completed on June 25, 1998. According to the pilot, he returned to land at 1930 and the wind shifted while he was on final approach. The pilot said the wind also increased in velocity and as a result the touchdown was hard and he cut is head on the instrument panel. Recorded wind during the time period of the accident was from 360 degrees magnetic heading at 24 knots with gusts to 37 knots. The landing was being conducted on runway 04. According to the pilot of a Beach Baron, who landed just before the accident occurred, the winds were out of the north at less than 10 knots during his landing.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:30 MDT
Nearest AirportTaos Municipal (0nm)
Runway4
Runway Length5800 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchempp-Hirth Ventus CM
Tail NumberN94DP
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsSolo · 2350B/2004 · Reciprocating · 27
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 51 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 24 kt, gusting 37 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 10000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 18 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time01:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data