# Accident 20200511003469A: Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2CT, Stuarts Draft, VA, May 11, 2020

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 11, 2020, 15:10 local time
- Place: Stuarts Draft, VA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Descent
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 37.9925° N, 78.9814° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9925&lon=-78.9814&mi=10
- Aircraft: N514TW, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N514TW) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2CT (registry code 3800267, https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-ventus-2ct) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: NONE (registry code 00000, https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHEMPP-HIRTH VENTUS 2CT
- Reported engine: NONE NONE
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 18,000 total, 142 in this make and model, 81 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA20CA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA178) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200511003469A

## Narrative

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

PILOT DEPARTED (2VA3) IN MERLIN, VA.  UPON CROSSING A RIDGE LINE INTO WAYNESBORO, VA AT APPROX 8000 FT MSL THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO GAIN LIFT AND BEGAN LOSING ALTITUDE.  AFTER DECIDING ON A SUITABLE LANDING SITE ENGINE START ATTEMPT WAS MADE.  PRIOR TO GETTING THE ENGINE TO START THE AIRCRAFT CONTACTED THE GROUND RIGHT WING DOWN CAUSING PARTIAL SEPARATION FROM FUSELAGE AND SPAR DAMAGE.  THE TAIL BOOM ALSO BROKE FREE FROM THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE LANDING AND SUBSEQUENT GROUND LOOP.  RECOMMENDED MINIMUM ENGINE START ALTTITUDE IS 984 FT AGL AT 95-100 KM/H IAW AIRCRAFT FLIGHT MANUAL EMERGENCY PROCEDURES.

## 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 ERA20CA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA178), May 11, 2020: Schempp Hirth Ventus 2CT (N514TW), Stuarts Draft, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of thermal lift during a motor glider flight, which resulted in an off-airport landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's delayed attempted engine start.

## Other reports on N514TW (1)

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

- [Incident 20100615036332I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100615036332I), Jun 15, 2010: Schempp-Hir VENTUS 2CT (N514TW), Parowan, UT, Minor damage. On Tuesday June 15, 2010 at 1533 mountain daylight time, N455S a schleicher alexander gmbh & co. model ash 26 e glider piloted by [privacy data omitted] and…

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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