# NTSB CEN13CA336: Schempp-Hirth VENTUS-2B, N62TW, Corona, NM, June 2, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 1, 2013, 18:00 local (Jun 2, 2013, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Corona, NM
- Coordinates: 34.973609, -105.993057 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9736&lon=-105.9931&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 87151
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA336
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87151/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87151
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA336

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while ridge-soaring in gusty wind conditions.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS-2B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3802053), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS-2B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=3802053), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS-2B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=3802053), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was ridge-soaring in his glider near a mountain peak in gusty wind conditions, when he was blown into trees. The glider sustained substantial damage to the airframe and wings. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the glider. He said that he was unfamiliar with the terrain and the wind gusts and down-drafts were higher than he anticipated.

## Factual narrative

The pilot was ridge-soaring in his glider near a mountain peak in gusty wind conditions, when he was blown into trees. The glider sustained substantial damage to the airframe and wings. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the glider. He said that he was unfamiliar with the terrain and the wind gusts and down-drafts were higher than he anticipated.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62TW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62TW-2015-05-11), registration cancelled 2015-05-11, S/N 140, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHEMPP-HIRTH VENTUS-2B
- Registry model: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS-2B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-ventus-2b) (registry code 3802053) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 140
- Airframe hours: 2200
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paynter G Frank
- Registered owner: Paynter G Frank
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 2, 2012
- Departed: 0E0, Moriarty, NM
- Destination: 0E0, Moriarty, NM
- Airport: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 30, 2012; flight hours: 4,800 total, 1,652 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 29, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87151. 797 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 797 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396495&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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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