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NTSB Report
July 2, 1991 · Schempp-Hirth Ventus CM · N9999R
Marfa, TX
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 2, 1991
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Marfa, TX
Aircraft
Schempp-Hirth Ventus CM
Tail Number
N9999R
Operator
Rogar N Buchanan
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW91LA114
THE PILOT OF THE MOTORIZED GILDER ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT FROM CONVECTIVE ACTIVITY DURING INITIAL CLIMB OUT FROM THE RUNWAY. THE GILDER WAS CLIMBING AT 150 TO 200 FEET PER MINUTE WAS 100 ABOVE GROUND WHEN IT STARTED TO DESCEND AT 200 FEET PER MINUTE. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD, BUT STRUCK A FENCE DURING THE APPROACH. THE GLIDER WAS POWERED BY A TWO STROKE 25HP ENGINE AND WAS OPERATING WITH FULL WATER BALLAST AT MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WS ESTIMATED TO BE 9,000 FEET WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE PILOT WAS A COMPETITOR IN THE NATIONAL MOTOR GLIDER COMPETITION.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE APPROACH. FACTORS WERE THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, THE DOWNDRAFT, AND THE DTERIORTED CLIMB PERFORMANCE.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT OF THE MOTORIZED GILDER ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT FROM CONVECTIVE ACTIVITY DURING INITIAL CLIMB OUT FROM THE RUNWAY. THE GILDER WAS CLIMBING AT 150 TO 200 FEET PER MINUTE WAS 100 ABOVE GROUND WHEN IT STARTED TO DESCEND AT 200 FEET PER MINUTE. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD, BUT STRUCK A FENCE DURING THE APPROACH. THE GLIDER WAS POWERED BY A TWO STROKE 25HP ENGINE AND WAS OPERATING WITH FULL WATER BALLAST AT MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WS ESTIMATED TO BE 9,000 FEET WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE PILOT WAS A COMPETITOR IN THE NATIONAL MOTOR GLIDER COMPETITION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 CDT
Nearest AirportMarfa Municipal (0nm N)
Runway21
Runway Length5300 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftSchempp-Hirth Ventus CM
Tail NumberN9999R
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRogar N Buchanan
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsSolo · 235B · Reciprocating · 25
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 50 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 3 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT