# NTSB CEN24LA110: Pipistrel Taurus, N984TP, Waller, TX, February 1, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: February 1, 2024, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Waller, TX
- Coordinates: 30.1927, -95.9632 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1927&lon=-95.9632&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining events: [Maneuvering: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250); [Maneuvering: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 193757
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193757/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193757
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA110

## Probable cause (aircraft 1)

The failure of both pilots to see and avoid one another while maneuvering, which resulted in a mid-air collision.

## Findings

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

- [Object/animal/substance: aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment, aircraft 1; cases with it: [Pipistrel TAURUS ELECTRO G2.5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md?model=05641QV), [All aircraft, 116 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Pipistrel TAURUS ELECTRO G2.5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=05641QV), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment, aircraft 2; cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth DISCUS-2CT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md?model=3802011), [All aircraft, 116 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth DISCUS-2CT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=3802011), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Maneuvering: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Pipistrel TAURUS ELECTRO G2.5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md?model=05641QV), [All aircraft, 196 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth DISCUS-2CT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md?model=3802011), [All aircraft, 196 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md)

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

The pilot of a Pipistrel Taurus glider reported that, while turning right and climbing in a thermal, he saw another glider at his 10 o’clock position about the same altitude. He quickly turned right to avoid the other glider, but the Pipistrel’s left wing impacted the other glider’s right wing, resulting in substantial damage to both. The pilot flying the other glider, a Schempp-Hirth Discus-2CT, reported that he was in a right turn when he heard the impact. He stated that the Pipistrel was below him and he did not see it. Both pilots landed their gliders without further incident. Both glider pilots reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the gliders that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N984TP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N984TP), registered now, S/N 167 T ET, built 2018 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPISTREL TAURUS (ELECTRO G2)
- Registry model: [Pipistrel TAURUS ELECTRO G2.5](https://openairdocs.org/model/pipistrel-taurus-electro-g2-5) (registry code 05641QV) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 167TET
- Year built: 2018
- Airframe hours: 115
- Engines: Pipistrel Electro 40/30 40 horsepower electric
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Texas Soaring Bats LLC
- Registered owner: Texas Soaring Bats LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, May 20, 2023
- Departed: 89TA, Waller, TX
- Airport: 89TA, Soaring Club of Houston Gliderport
- Equipment: Airframe parachute, Data recorder, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N27GG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N27GG), registered now, S/N 23, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHEMPP HIRTH DISCUS 2CT (NO SERIES EXISTS)
- Registry model: [Schempp-Hirth DISCUS-2CT](https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-discus-2ct) (registry code 3802011) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Solo 2350 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/solo-2350-series) (registry code 58107, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 23
- Year built: 2006
- Airframe hours: 1448
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 24, 2023
- Destination: Same as departure
- Equipment: Handheld GPS, Data recorder

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N984TP; age 60; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 5, 2023; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 24,000 total, 82 in this make and model
- Pilot, aircraft N27GG; age 75; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; last flight review February 26, 2023; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,708 total, 906 in this make and model, 1,696 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observed at: KDWH, 22 nm away
- METAR: KDWH 012053Z 18007KT 140V210 10SM FEW041 23/12 A3005

## Other investigations on N984TP (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 CEN26LA294](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA294), Aug 15, 2026: Pipistrel Taurus Electro G2.5 (N984TP), Hempstead, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to properly stow the motor in preparation for approach and landing that resulted in a loss of airspeed and an inadvertent aerodynamic stall and spin.

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 12, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193757. 3.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1-douglass (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16810980&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120-Douglass%20-%2098_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1-yeldezian (item 2, PDF, 9 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16811094&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120-Yeldezian_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 418 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16811025&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=photo%20array-Rel.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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