# NTSB CEN14CA409: Glasflugel H 301 B Libelle, N1615, Brenham, TX, August 6, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 6, 2014, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Brenham, TX
- Coordinates: 30.150936, -96.390724 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1509&lon=-96.3907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Emergency descent: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 2, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- NTSB case key (mKey): 89817
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA409
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89817/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89817
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA409

## Probable cause

The pilot's attempt to maneuver away from power lines during a forced landing, which resulted in a collision with a tree and a fence.

## Findings

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

- [Environmental issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03030000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Glasflugel H 301 B LIBELLE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03030000/cases.md?model=3800339), [All aircraft, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03030000/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Glasflugel H 301 B LIBELLE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3800339), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Glasflugel H 301 B LIBELLE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=3800339), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Glasflugel H 301 B LIBELLE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=3800339), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Glasflugel H 301 B LIBELLE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=3800339), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Emergency descent: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) (defining event); cases with it: [Glasflugel H 301 B LIBELLE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=3800339), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Glasflugel H 301 B LIBELLE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3800339), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was participating in a regional soaring contest when the weather conditions changed and he was unable to maintain altitude. The pilot prepared to land in a field, but once he approached the field he saw power lines. The pilot tried to avoid the power lines but the glider struck a tree and a fence, which resulted in damage to the left wing and empennage. The pilot reported there were no mechanical deficiencies with the glider that contributed to the cause of the accident.

## Factual narrative

The pilot was participating in a regional soaring contest when the weather conditions changed and he was unable to maintain altitude. The pilot prepared to land in a field, but once he approached the field he saw power lines. The pilot tried to avoid the power lines but the glider struck a tree and a fence, which resulted in damage to the left wing and empennage. The pilot reported there were no mechanical deficiencies with the glider that contributed to the cause of the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1615](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1615-2018-12-21), registration cancelled 2018-12-21, S/N 65, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GLASFLUGEL H 301 B LIBELLE
- Registry model: [Glasflugel H 301 B LIBELLE](https://openairdocs.org/model/glasflugel-h-301-b-libelle) (registry code 3800339) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 65
- Year built: 1968
- Airframe hours: 1618
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Travis LaGrone
- Registered owner: Travis LaGrone
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 7, 2014
- Departed: 89TA, Walter, TX
- Destination: 89TA, Walter, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; injuries: minor; private; last flight review January 18, 2014; seat: center; flight hours: 604 total, 460 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F

## 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 20140806012859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140806012859A), Aug 6, 2014: Glasflugel H 301 B LIBELLE, Brenham, TX, Destroyed. N1615 was competing in glider contest and late in the day approximately 1430 local, lost geothermal lift and unable to continue. Pilot was forced to land off…

## Other investigations on N1615 (2)

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 MIA70DLG11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA70DLG11), Mar 23, 1970: Glasflugel H-301B (N1615), Clover, SC, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN70D0052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN70D0052), Jun 1, 1969: Glasfugel H301B (N1615), Edgewood, NM, substantial damage

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 21, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89817. 921 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 921 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415381&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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