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NTSB Report
August 24, 1986 · Schempp-Hirth Ventus A · N7XT
Middletown, NY
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 24, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Middletown, NY
Aircraft
Schempp-Hirth Ventus A
Tail Number
N7XT
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC86FHM03
THE SAILPLANE WAS BEING TOWED INTO THE AIR. IT WAS OBSERVED TO COME OFF THE GROUND IN A TAIL LOW ATTITUDE AND THEN START PORPOSING. THE AIRCRAFT WAS RELEASED FROM THE TOW PLANE AND IMPACTED. THE PILOT WAS FATALLY INJURED AND THE AIRCRAFT DESTROYED. NO EVIDENCE OF A PRE-EXISTING FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS NOTED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS CARRYING BOTH WATER AND LEAD SHOT FOR BALLAST, HOWEVER THE BREAKUP OF THE AIRCRAFT ON IMPACT PREVENTED A DETERMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT WEIGHT AND BALANCE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PLTS FLT TIME WAS NOT REPORTED OR AVAILABLE.
Full Narrative
THE SAILPLANE WAS BEING TOWED INTO THE AIR. IT WAS OBSERVED TO COME OFF THE GROUND IN A TAIL LOW ATTITUDE AND THEN START PORPOSING. THE AIRCRAFT WAS RELEASED FROM THE TOW PLANE AND IMPACTED. THE PILOT WAS FATALLY INJURED AND THE AIRCRAFT DESTROYED. NO EVIDENCE OF A PRE-EXISTING FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS NOTED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS CARRYING BOTH WATER AND LEAD SHOT FOR BALLAST, HOWEVER THE BREAKUP OF THE AIRCRAFT ON IMPACT PREVENTED A DETERMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT WEIGHT AND BALANCE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PLTS FLT TIME WAS NOT REPORTED OR AVAILABLE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:05 EDT
Nearest AirportRANDALL (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftSchempp-Hirth Ventus A
Tail NumberN7XT
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsNone · NONE · Unknown
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 44 · Unknown
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 15 kt, gusting 32 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 45 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT