# NTSB ERA09LA455: Schempp-Hirth Ventus 2CM, N70ZZ, St. Elmo, AL, August 8, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 8, 2009, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: St. Elmo, AL - Coordinates: 30.501943, -88.275001 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5019&lon=-88.2750&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74488 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09LA455 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74488/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74488 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA455 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the forced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2CM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=3802001), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2CM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=3802001), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2CM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=3802001), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2CM, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=3802001), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2CM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=3802001), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2CM, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=3802001), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2CM, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3802001), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of a powered glider experienced a partial loss of engine power on takeoff and landed hard while attempting a go around. During the preflight inspection and engine run-up, the pilot saw nothing abnormal that would have suggested a problem with the engine. After the accident, the pilot removed the powered glider wreckage from the accident site before the FAA inspector could inspect it. Approximately 3 months later, the powered glider was examined by an independent airframe and powerplant mechanic, and no definitive evidence was found that would have caused the partial loss of engine power. The inspection did reveal damage to the cylinder walls, but it was not possible to correlate this with the partial loss of engine power due to the engine being previously disassembled and examined by the owner. ## Factual narrative On August 8, 2009, about 0945 central daylight time, a Schempp-Hirth Ventus 2cM powered glider, N70ZZ, registered to a private individual, impacted terrain while returning to land following a reported partial loss of engine power during the initial takeoff climb from St Elmo Airport (2R5), St Elmo, Alabama. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal, local flight. The powered glider was substantially damaged and the private pilot, the sole occupant sustained minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that before takeoff the fuselage fuel tank was full with 100 low lead (100LL) fuel, but he was unable to check the tank for contaminants during his preflight inspection due to the location of the sump drain. He performed an engine run-up and noted a 100 and 200 rpm drop when checking each ignition system, though he did not recall what system had what specific drop. He began the takeoff roll from runway 06 with the wind from the east-southeast at 5 to 6 knots, and based on his 400 hours in powered gliders, the takeoff roll was longer than normal. He continued the takeoff and when the flight was between 150 and 200 feet, he noted that the engine rpm had dropped to approximately 70 to 80 percent of full power. At that point the powered glider was climbing slowly and he thought about landing straight ahead in a field or a return for landing; he elected to return thinking the engine was producing enough power. As, he turned downwind, the powered glider felt mushy and he realized that he would not make it back to the runway. He applied forward elevator input and the powered glider impacted the ground in a slight right wing low attitude resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, right wing, and the horizontal and vertical tail assemblies. He exited the powered glider and removed the wreckage from the accident site before a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector could inspect it. Inspection of the powered glider with oversight by the FAA was not able to be coordinated, and approximately 3 months after the accident an independent airframe and power plant (A&P) mechanic was hired to examine the powered glider. The A&P stated that when the powered glider was delivered to him, he was told and it was evident that the owner had partially disassembled the engine in an effort to examine it. The inspection revealed that the ignition system worked properly, and there was no definitive evidence of any pre-impact anomalies that would have caused the partial loss of engine power. The inspection did reveal damage to the cylinder walls, but it was not possible to correlate this with the partial loss of engine power due to the engine being previously disassembled. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N70ZZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N70ZZ-2009-11-09), registration cancelled 2009-11-09, S/N 100, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHEMPP-HIRTH VENTUS 2CM - Registry model: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2CM](https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-ventus-2cm) (registry code 3802001) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 100 - Airframe hours: 162 - Engines: Solo 2625-1 50 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 11, 2009 - Departed: 2R5, St. Elmo, AL - Destination: 2R5, St. Elmo, AL - Airport: 2R5, St Elmo Airport, runway 06, 3,998 × 80 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: minor; private; last flight review March 4, 2007; seat: center; flight hours: 406 total, 121 in this make and model, 388 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: MOB, 12 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 20090808025359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090808025359A), Aug 8, 2009: Schempp-Hir VENTUS 2CM, Mobile, AL, Substantial damage. On August 8, 2009 at approximately 0945 CDT a Schempp-hirth ventus CM2 powered glider , N70ZZ, registered to a private owner, impacted hard while returning to… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 2, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74488. 630 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 460 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317450&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317453&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - A&P Statement (item 3, .PDF, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324150&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=A%26P%20Statement-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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.