# Accident 20030807019859A: Sphrth VENTUSB166, Gross Reservoir, CO, August 7, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 7, 2003, 14:15 local time
- Place: Gross Reservoir, CO
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 39.9500° N, 105.3667° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9500&lon=-105.3667&mi=10
- Aircraft: N25RN, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25RN-2003-11-25) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Schempp-Hirth VENTUS B/16.6 (registry code 3802061, https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-ventus-b-16-6) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: NONE (registry code 00000, https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SPHRTH VENTUSB166
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 800 total, 170 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB DEN03LA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA143) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030807019859A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) MR. BOGDANOVICH (MR.B) STATED HE WAS ON A CROSS COUNTRY SOARING TRIP WHEN THE THUNDERSTORM FRONT DEVELOPED VERY RAPIDLY ALONG THE FRONT RANGE. HE DECIDED TO ABORT THE X-COUNTRY AND RETURN TO 1V5. STORMS WALLED OFF THE RETURN, SO MR. B ELECTED TO ATTEMPT TO SET THE GLIDER DOWN IN GROSS RESERVOIR. THE RESULT CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE GLIDER, BUT MR. B ESCAPED WITH NO INJURIES. THE (SOARING) WEATHER PACKAGE HE STATED THAT HE RECEIVED SHOWED THAT "OVERDEVELOPMENT WAS POSSIBLE AROUND 1600L." THE BUILDUPS THAT KEPT MR. B FROM RETURNING TO BOULDER ACTUALLY OCCURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 1330L ACCORDING TO THE PILOT.

## 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 DEN03LA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA143), Aug 7, 2003: Schempp-Hirth Ventus B/16.6 (N25RN), Boulder, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: pilot's improper in-flight planning and decision making. Contributing factors include the thunderstorms, the lack of suitable terrain available for a precautionary landing and the water.

## Other reports on N25RN (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19850810037809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850810037809A), Aug 10, 1985: Sphrth VENTUSB (N25RN), Colorado Spring, CO, Substantial damage. Lifted off before tow plane, pitched up and stalled. Right wing and nose impacted runway.

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.

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