# NTSB ERA12CA352: Schempp-Hirth Ventus 2CT, N900BM, Duncansville, PA, May 18, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 18, 2012, 15:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Duncansville, PA - Coordinates: 40.401111, -78.516387 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4011&lon=-78.5164&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report October 15, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83722 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA352 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83722/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83722 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA352 ## Probable cause The glider’s encounter with atmospheric lift conditions not sufficient to clear terrain, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to continue turning toward a ridgeline. ## 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 · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2CT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=3800267), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2CT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3800267), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2CT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=3800267), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Environmental issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03030000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2CT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03030000/cases.md?model=3800267), [All aircraft, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03030000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2CT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md?model=3800267), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2CT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=3800267), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2CT, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3800267), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the glider was towed to an altitude of 2,000 feet above ground level, released, and then flown for more than 2 hours without incident. He was subsequently looking for lift and performing "S" turns, while flying away from a ridgeline. During one of the "S" turns, he encountered a 200- to 300 foot-per-minute increase in lift and elected to continue the left turn. However, when the glider turned back toward the ridgeline, it encountered a large downdraft and loss of airspeed. The glider stalled, spun to the left, and struck trees. The glider's tail boom separated and both wings were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. He further stated that he should not have continued the left turn and that standard training techniques called for continuing to perform "S" turns when close to a ridge or mountain until the glider reaches an altitude of at least 200 to 300 feet above the highest point to provide adequate altitude to recover from possible stalls caused by downdrafts. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the glider was towed to an altitude of 2,000 feet above ground level, released, and flown for more than 2 hours without incident. He subsequently was looking for lift and performing "S" turns, while flying away from a ridgeline. During one of the "S" turns, he encountered a 200 to 300 foot increase in lift and elected continue turning to the left. As the glider turned directly toward the ridgeline, it encountered a large downdraft and loss of airspeed. The glider stalled, spun to the left, and immediately struck trees. The glider's tail boom separated and both wings were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions or failures during the flight. He further stated that he should not have continued the left turn and that standard training techniques called for continuing to do "S" turns when close to ridges or mountains until at least 200 to 300 feet above the highest point, which would provide for adequate altitude to recover from possible stalls caused by wind gusts. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N900BM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N900BM-2017-07-26), registration cancelled 2017-07-26, S/N 206, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHEMPP-HIRTH VENTUS 2CT - Registry model: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2CT](https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-ventus-2ct) (registry code 3800267) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Solo 2350 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/solo-2350-series) (registry code 58107, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 206 - Airframe hours: 208 - Engines: SOLO 2350 SER 22 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 2011, 3 hours before - Departed: RVL, Reedsville, PA - Destination: RVL, Reedsville, PA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown; last flight review November 24, 2010; seat: front; flight hours: 7,215 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 7,000 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 163 °F, dew point 102 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: AOO, 13 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 20120518015099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120518015099A), May 18, 2012: Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2CT, Newry, PA, Destroyed. 05/21/2012ON may 18, 2012, the eastern region operations center (roc) contacted the allegheny flight standards district office (agc) to advise that N900BM, a… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 7, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83722. 634 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 585 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369511&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photograph # 1 - View of glider as it came to rest (Provided by FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369501&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%20-%20View%20of%20glider%20as%20it%20came%20to%20rest%20(Provided%20by%20FAA)-Master.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.