# Accident 20020721016939A: Sphrth NIMBUS2C, Briggs, TX, July 21, 2002 - Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported - Date: July 21, 2002, 17:30 local time - Place: Briggs, TX - Airport: Flf Gliderport - Damage: Substantial damage - Phase of flight: Roll-Out (Fixed Wing) - Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91) - Location: 30.8561° N, 97.9458° W: From the FAA - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8561&lon=-97.9458&mi=10 - Aircraft: N141SF, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N141SF) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry model: Schempp-Hirth K.G. NIMBUS-2C (registry code 3801923, https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-k-g-nimbus-2c) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: NONE (registry code 00000, https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SPHRTH NIMBUS2C - People aboard: 1 - Fatal injuries: 0 - Pilot flight hours: 1,366 total, 21 in this make and model, 26 in the last 90 days - NTSB investigation: [NTSB FTW02LA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA219) (OpenAirDocs) - FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/) - Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020721016939A ## Narrative As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^. (.19) ON JULY 21, 2002, APPROXIMATELY 1730 CENTRAL DAYLIGHT TIME, A SCHEMPP-HIRTH K.G. NIMBUS-2C GLIDER, N141SF, WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING THE LANDING ROLL ON A GRASS AIRSTRIP AT THE PRIVATE FLF GLIDERPORT, BRIGGS, TEXAS. THE COMMERCIAL PILOT, SOLE OCCUPANT AND REGISTERED OWNER OF THE GLIDER, WAS NOT INJURED. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED, AND A FLIGHT PLAN WAS NOT FILED FOR THE 14 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS PART 91 PERSONAL FLIGHT. THE LOCAL FLIGHT DEPARTED THE PRIVATE FLF GLIDERPORT APPROXIMATELY 1300. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLL ON RUNWAY 16 (4,500 FEET IN LENGTH AND 300 FEET IN WIDTH), THE RIGHT WING DROPPED AND CAUGHT THE TALL GRASS. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE GLIDER GROUND-LOOPED AND SPUN 180 DEGREES. THE TAILBOOM WAS FRACTURED AT THE LEADING EDGE OF THE STABILIZER. THE WING SPAN OF THE GLIDER IS APPROXIMATELY 66 FEET IN WIDTH. THE PILOT STATED THE WIND WAS APPROXIMATELY 3 TO 5 KNOTS FROM THE SOUTH. (-23) GLIDER'S RIGHT WING DROPPED DURING ROLLOUT, CAUSING THE GLIDER TO GROUND LOOP 180 DEGREES. THE TAIL BOON BROKE FORWARD OF THE TAIL. THERE WAS NO INJURIES OR PROPERTY DAMAGE OTHER THAN THE GLIDER. ACCIDENT PACKAGE HAD BE EN FORWARDED TO THE SAN ANTONIO SAFETY PROGRAM MANAGER. (.4) ON JULY 21, 2002, APPROXIMATELY 1730 CENTRAL DAYLIGHT TIME, A SCHEMPP-HIRTH K.G. NIMBUS-2C GLIDER, N141SF, SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGED WHEN IT ENCOUNTERED HIGH VEGETATION DURING THE LANDING ROLL ON A GRASS AIRSTRIP AT THE PRIVATE FLF GLIDERPORT, BRIGGS, TEXAS. THE COMMERCIAL PILOT, SOLE OCCUPANT AND REGISTERED OWNER OF THE GLIDER, WAS NOT INJURED. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED, AND A FLIGHT PLAN WAS NOT FILED FOR THE 14 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS PART 91 PERSONAL FLIGHT. THE LOCAL FLIGHT DEPARTED THE FLF GLIDERPORT, APPROXIMATELY 1310. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT/OPERATOR AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT (NTSB FORM 6120.1/2), THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD COMPLETED A 4.3 HOUR FLIGHT. DURING THE LANDING ROLL ON RUNWAY 16 (4,500 FEET IN LENGTH AND 300 FEET IN WIDTH), THE RIGHT WING DROPPED AND STRUCK THE TALL GRASS ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE GLIDER GROUND-LOOPED AND CAME TO REST ON A 340 DEGREE MAGNETIC HEADING. THE TAILBOOM WAS FRACTURED AT THE LEADING EDGE OF THE STABILIZER. THE PILOT STATED THE WIND WAS APPROXIMATELY 3 TO 5 KNOTS FROM THE SOUTH. IN THE NTSB FORM 6120.1/2 "RECOMMENDAT ION (HOW COULD THIS HAVE BEEN PREVENTED)" SECTION, THE PILOT REPORTED THE FOLLOWING, "1. AVOID TALL GRASS ON LANDING, 2. MAKE WHEEL LANDING WITH SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED MARGIN TO ALLOW SELECTION OF NEGATIVE FLAP POSITION TO RETAIN AILERON AUTHORITY AS LONG AS POSSIBLE ON ROLL OUT." THE WING SPAN OF THE GLIDER WAS APPROXIMATELY 66 FEET. ## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB FTW02LA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA219), Jul 21, 2002: Schempp-Hirth K.G. Nimbus-2C (N141SF), Briggs, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the high grass during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop. From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.