# NTSB DEN91FA083: Schempp-Hirth Ventus C, N418CH, Durango, CO, June 13, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 13, 1991, 11:40 local (17:40 UTC)
- Place: Durango, CO
- Coordinates: 37.269638, -107.879478 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2696&lon=-107.8795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18026
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91FA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18026/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91FA083

## Probable cause

THE ABSENCE OF THERMAL LIFT, THE PILOT'S APPREHENSION, AND HIS LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Forced landing, descent - normal
  - weather condition - no thermal lift (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - normal
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOLD WITNESSES HE WAS UNFAMILIAR WITH THE AREA, HAD LIMITED MOUNTAIN FLYING EXPEREINCE, WAS STILL UNCOMFORTABLE FLYING HIS 3-YEAR OLD HIGH-PERFORMANCE SAILPLANE, AND NEEDED TO BE MORE AGGRESSIVE IN HIS FLYING TECHNIQUE.  ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT APPEARED NEVOUS AND APPREHENSIVE.  HE INSTRUCTED THE TOW PILOT TO FLY NORTH TOWARDS MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND A DISTANT THUNDERSTORM.  THE PILOT RELEASED HIMSELF AT 8800 FT MSL, ABOUT 200-300 FT BELOW THE CREST OF THE RIDGE.  THE TOW PILOT SAID SOARING CONDITIONS IN THAT AREA WERE 'POOR WITH LITTLE LIFT.' WHEN THE SAILPLANE FAILED TO RETURN.  A SEARCH WAS INITIATED.  THE SAILPLANE HAD STRUCK ASPEN TREES AND CRASHED WITHIN 1.5 MILES OF THE RELASE POINT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N418CH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N418CH), registered now, S/N 387 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHEMPP-HIRTH VENTUS C
- Registry model: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS C](https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-ventus-c) (registry code 3802065) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 387
- Airframe hours: 74
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles C. Henning
- Registered owner: Charles C. Henning
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 7, 1991, 3 hours before
- Departed: CD82, DURANGO, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,100 total, 97 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19910613021699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910613021699A), Jun 13, 1991: Sphrth VENTUSA, Durango, CO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Released in area of mountains and dense trees. Downdrafts in area. Struck trees. Advised area not good for soaring.

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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