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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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July 30, 1986 · Schempp-Hirth Nimbus IIIT Nimbus III · N141V

Hawthorne, NV

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 30, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Hawthorne, NV
Aircraft
Schempp-Hirth Nimbus IIIT Nimbus III
Tail Number
N141V
Operator
Carl D Herold
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA86LA197

AFTER A 5 HOUR FLIGHT IN THE MOTORIZED GLIDER DURING WHICH THE ENGINE WAS UTILIZED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE PILOT RETURNED TO HIS DESTINATION. UPON ARRIVAL HE EXECUTED A NUMBER OF LOW PASSES OVER THE RUNWAY FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS. THE PILOT EXECUTED A FLY BY CONFIDENT THAT ENOUGH FUEL REMAINED FOR THE MANEUVER. DURING THE PULLUP THE REMAINING FUEL WAS EXHAUSTED AND THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING. NO FUEL GAUGE NOR LOW FUEL WARNING INDICATOR WAS INSTALLED IN THE AIRCRAFT AND THE PILOT HAD NO WAY OF ACCURATELY DETERMINING FUEL REMAINING. THE PLTS FLYING TIME WAS NOT REPORTED.

Full Narrative

AFTER A 5 HOUR FLIGHT IN THE MOTORIZED GLIDER DURING WHICH THE ENGINE WAS UTILIZED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE PILOT RETURNED TO HIS DESTINATION. UPON ARRIVAL HE EXECUTED A NUMBER OF LOW PASSES OVER THE RUNWAY FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS. THE PILOT EXECUTED A FLY BY CONFIDENT THAT ENOUGH FUEL REMAINED FOR THE MANEUVER. DURING THE PULLUP THE REMAINING FUEL WAS EXHAUSTED AND THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING. NO FUEL GAUGE NOR LOW FUEL WARNING INDICATOR WAS INSTALLED IN THE AIRCRAFT AND THE PILOT HAD NO WAY OF ACCURATELY DETERMINING FUEL REMAINING. THE PLTS FLYING TIME WAS NOT REPORTED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchempp-Hirth Nimbus IIIT Nimbus III
Tail NumberN141V
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCarl D Herold
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 277 · Reciprocating · 28
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 54 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 15 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point41 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time22:30
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data