# NTSB BFO91LA082: Schempp-Hirth Venus CM, N102AG, New Castle, VA, September 14, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1991, 13:20 local (17:20 UTC)
- Place: New Castle, VA
- Coordinates: 37.499782, -80.109024 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4998&lon=-80.1090&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11704
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91LA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11704/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA082

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL MUSH.  CONTRIBUTING WAS A HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE CAUSING DETERIORATED AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE, AND AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION WHICH RESULTED IN AN OVERGROSS AIRCRAFT CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance - deteriorated (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WITNESSES REPORTED THE MOTORIZED GLIDER LIFTED, CLIMBED, AND THEN DESCENDED INTO A 45 FOOT HIGH POWERLINE BEFORE IT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND.  WITNESSES STATED THE GLIDER TAKEOFF RUN WAS LONGER THAN USUAL. WITNESS STATED THE ENGINE SOUNDS WERE NORMAL.  THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS COMPUTED TO BE OVER 4000 FEET MSL.  ACCORDING TO PERFORMANCE CHARTS, THE TAKEOFF ROLL AND TOTAL DISTANCE OVER A 50 FOOT OBSTACLE WAS 1696 AND 2972 FEET RESPECTIVELY BASED ON AN ELEVATION OF 1500 FEET AND 86 DEGREE F TEMPERATURE.  THE AIRFIELD ELEVATION WAS 1320 FEET, AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS 96 DEGREES F. THE GLIDER WAS DETERMINED TO BE ABOUT 15 LBS OVERGROSS. THE EXAMINATION DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N102AG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N102AG-1992-01-24), registration cancelled 1992-01-24, S/N 37 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schempp-Hirth VENUS CM
- Registry model: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS CM](https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-ventus-cm) (registry code 3800266) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 37
- Airframe hours: 197
- Engines: SOLO 2350C 26 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Children Of The Mist Inc., doing business as 
- Registered owner: Children Of The Mist Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 19, 1990, 196 hours before
- Airport: New Castle Gliderport, runway 36, 3,000 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,889 total, 267 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported
- Wind: 350° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ROA, 10 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19910914039879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910914039879A), Sep 14, 1991: Sphrth VENTUSA, New Castle, VA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Motorized glider collided with wires on low climbout. Over gross weight and hot day were factors. Low power engine.

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.

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