# NTSB DEN84LA183: Scheibe Flugzeugbau Zugvogel Iiib, N30118, Taos, NM, June 16, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1984, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Taos, NM
- Coordinates: 36.379192, -105.570533 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3792&lon=-105.5705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16404
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA183
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16404/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA183

## Sequence of events

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

- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE WINDS INCREASED DURING A FLT IN A MOUNTAINOUS AREA & THE THERMAL UPDRAFTS 'BROKE UP.' WHILE GLIDING BACK TO THE ARPT, HE ENCOUNTERED SINKING AIR & WAS FORCED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON ROUGH, SAGE BRUSH COVERED, TERRAIN. THIS WAS THE PLT'S FIRST FLT IN A MOUNTAINOUS AREA AT HIGH ELEVATIONS. THE PLT SUBSEQUENTLY TOOK THREE FLTS WITH A LOCAL PLT EXPERIENCED IN MOUNTAINOUS FLYING. HE SUGGESTED THIS TYPE OF TRAINING FOR PLTS WITH NO PREVIOUS MOUNTAINOUS FLYING EXPERIENCE BEFORE FLYING OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE ELEVATION OF THE CRASH SITE WAS ABOUT 7090 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30118](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30118-2012-09-25), registration cancelled 2012-09-25, S/N 1102, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Scheibe Flugzeugbau ZUGVOGEL IIIB (ZUGVOGEL I)
- Registry model: [Scheibe ZUGVOGEL IIIB](https://openairdocs.org/model/scheibe-zugvogel-iiib) (registry code 3801381) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 1102
- Airframe hours: 100
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Gary Hungerford
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 19, 1984
- Departed: SKX, TAOS, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; flight hours: 83 total, 43 in this make and model, 73 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19840616024479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840616024479A), Jun 16, 1984: Scbflg ZUGVL111B, Taos, NM, Destroyed. Not used to high altitude mountain soaring. Made off airport landing on rough ground, unforseen high sink rate.

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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