# NTSB DEN86LA059: Schempp-Hirth VENTUS-B, N166JD, Alamogordo, NM, January 1, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 1, 1986, 16:23 local (23:23 UTC)
- Place: Alamogordo, NM
- Coordinates: 32.880535, -105.949584 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8805&lon=-105.9496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16910
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16910/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA059

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

UPON RETURNING TO THE ARPT, THE PLT DECIDED TO MAKE A FLY-BY. THE PLT REPORTED THAT WHILE ON A MODIFIED DOWNWIND AT AN ALT OF APRX 50 FT AGL, THE GLIDER WHICH HE WAS PILOTING ENCOUNTERED ADVERSE WINDS AND DOWNDRAFTS. CONTROL OF THE ACFT WAS LOST AND IT DESCENDED RAPIDLY TO GROUND CONTACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N166JD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N166JD-2006-12-19), registration cancelled 2006-12-19, S/N 209, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHEMPP-HIRTH VENTUS-B
- Registry model: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS B/16.6](https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-ventus-b-16-6) (registry code 3802061) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 209
- Airframe hours: 186
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jim Day
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 4, 1985
- Departed: ALAMOGORDO, NM
- Airport: Alamagordo-White Sands Rg, runway 21, 7,005 × 150 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 774 total, 6 in this make and model, 676 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 329° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HMN, 5 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 19860101000039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860101000039A), Jan 1, 1986: Sphrth VENTUSB, Alamogordo, NM, Destroyed. Made a low pass parallel to the runway. Pulled up, encountered turbulence and downdraft, spun to ground impact.

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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