# NTSB CEN14CA280: Schempp-Hirth Nimbus 3/24.5, N245AB, Wallis, TX, June 6, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 6, 2014, 14:06 local (19:06 UTC) - Place: Wallis, TX - Coordinates: 29.613332, -96.027778 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6133&lon=-96.0278&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 24, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 89397 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA280 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89397/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89397 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA280 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain direction control of the glider during takeoff 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 NIMBUS 3/24.5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3801960), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth NIMBUS 3/24.5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=3801960), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth NIMBUS 3/24.5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=3801960), [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. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth NIMBUS 3/24.5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=3801960), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth NIMBUS 3/24.5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3801960), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Glider tow event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/510); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth NIMBUS 3/24.5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/510/sequence.md?model=3801960), [All aircraft, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/510/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) (defining event); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth NIMBUS 3/24.5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=3801960), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) ## Analysis The glider pilot reported that he was to be towed by a tow plane and make a "no assist launch." The glider's wings were loosely supported by wing stands and the tow rope was attached from the tow plane to the glider. When the slack was out of the tow rope, the glider pilot made a radio call "Go, go, go" to the tow pilot. The glider began to lift off from the grass runway when pilot noticed that the tow plane moved left laterally from what he assumed was a gust of wind. The tow pilot corrected back to the right and the glider pilot readied to do the same. When the glider entered the area of suspected wind gust, it suddenly ascended about 8 feet and the left wing lifted. The pilot applied full left aileron and left rudder and forward pressure on the control stick in order to descend and regain the correct flight path. The left wing continued to lift so the glider pilot released the tow rope as the glider made a 30 degree right turn. The glider exited the area of suspected wind gust and the glider pilot was unable to maintain directional control and the glider impacted the runway. The glider sustained substantial damage to the rear fuselage and empennage. He also reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The glider pilot reported that he was to be towed by a tow plane and make a "no assist launch." The glider's wings were loosely supported by wing stands and the tow rope was attached from the tow plane to the glider. When the slack was out of the tow rope, the glider pilot made a radio call "Go, go, go" to the tow pilot. The glider began to lift off from the grass runway when pilot noticed that the tow plane moved left laterally from what he assumed was a gust of wind. The tow pilot corrected back to the right and the glider pilot readied to do the same. When the glider entered the area of suspected wind gust, it suddenly ascended about 8 feet and the left wing lifted. The pilot applied full left aileron and left rudder and forward pressure on the control stick in order to descend and regain the correct flight path. The left wing continued to lift so the glider pilot released the tow rope as the glider made a 30 degree right turn. The glider exited the area of suspected wind gust and the glider pilot was unable to maintain directional control and the glider impacted the runway. The glider sustained substantial damage to the rear fuselage and empennage. He also reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N245AB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N245AB-2018-02-12), registration cancelled 2018-02-12, S/N 65, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHEMPP-HIRTH NIMBUS 3/24.5 - Registry model: [Schempp-Hirth NIMBUS 3/24.5](https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-nimbus-3-24-5) (registry code 3801960) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 65 - Year built: 1984 - Airframe hours: 1815 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Coggins David L - Registered owner: Coggins David L - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 5, 2014 - Departed: TE71, Wallis, TX - Destination: TE71, Wallis, TX - Airport: TE71, Ghsa-Wallis Glideport, runway 18, 4,000 × 125 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,782 total, 477 in this make and model, 2,645 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 11 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,100 ft broken - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KSGR, 19 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 20140606007939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140606007939A), Jun 6, 2014: Schempp-Hirth NIMBUS 3/24.5, Wallis, TX, Substantial damage. On June 9, 2014, the reporting inspector received an electronic mail (email) from the national transportation safety board (NTSB) notifying about a glider… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 15, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89397. 855 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 603 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40414277&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Pilot Statements (item 2, .PDF, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40414278&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Pilot%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1. Main Wreckage From Left (Photo Courtesy of Pilot) (item 3, .PDF, 155 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40414279&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Main%20Wreckage%20From%20Left%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Pilot)-Master.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. --- 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.