# NTSB ERA14CA126: Schempp-Hirth Ventus 2B, N411SD, Burnsville, NC, February 18, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 18, 2014, 09:55 local (14:55 UTC) - Place: Burnsville, NC - Coordinates: 35.768611, -82.201942 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7686&lon=-82.2019&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report October 20, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 88817 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA126 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88817/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88817 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA126 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper use of the spoilers, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and subsequent impact with trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS-2B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=3802053), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS-2B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=3802053), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS-2B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=3802053), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Wing structure: spoilers](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035755): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS-2B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035755/cases.md?model=3802053), [All aircraft, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035755/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS-2B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=3802053), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS-2B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3802053), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the glider pilot, he did "crack" open the spoilers during tow a little due to the turbulent air that day. Immediately after releasing from the tow airplane, the glider went into a nose down attitude. He overheard the tow pilot say that his spoilers were deployed. He retracted the spoilers and then attempted to gain attitude but was out of lift. He saw a golf course to the north but then realized that he would not make the intended landing area, and chose an area that looked like it had small trees. According to the pilot towing the glider, they departed and flew about 15 minutes to the glide area. The glider was released and began a nose down attitude towards the ground. She stated that the glider's dive brakes were deployed. The tow pilot radioed the glider pilot, asking him if everything was "ok". The accident pilot responded back on the radio with what the she thought was an "affirmative", which later was determined to be a "negative". The tow pilot continued to watch the glider in a sharp dive until it impacted trees. Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that the left and right wing leading edges, and the empennage sustained substantial damage due to impact with trees. Control continuity from the flight controls to all surfaces was verified. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the glider pilot, he did "crack" open the spoilers during tow a little due to the turbulent air that day. Immediately after releasing from the tow airplane, the glider went into a nose down attitude. He overheard the tow pilot say that his spoilers were deployed. He retracted the spoilers and then attempted to gain attitude but was out of lift. He saw a golf course to the north but then realized that he would not make the intended landing area, and chose an area that looked like it had small trees. According to the pilot towing the glider, they departed and flew about 15 minutes to the glide area. The glider was released and began a nose down attitude towards the ground. She stated that the glider's dive brakes were deployed. The tow pilot radioed the glider pilot, asking him if everything was "ok". The accident pilot responded back on the radio with what the she thought was an "affirmative", which later was determined to be a "negative". The tow pilot continued to watch the glider in a sharp dive until it impacted trees. Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that the left and right wing leading edges, and the empennage sustained substantial damage due to impact with trees. Control continuity from the flight controls to all surfaces was verified. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N411SD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N411SD-2026-03-26), registration cancelled 2026-03-26, S/N 102 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHEMPP-HIRTH VENTUS 2B - Registry model: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS-2B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-ventus-2b) (registry code 3802053) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 102 - Airframe hours: 1229 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Campbell Jay D - Registered owner: Campbell Jay D - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, December 21, 2013 - Departed: 9A9, Marion, NC - Destination: 9A9, Marion, NC - Equipment: Video recording device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: serious; commercial; last flight review May 31, 2012; seat: center; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,329 total, 200 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: FQD, 19 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 20140218002259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140218002259A), Feb 18, 2014: Schempp-Hirth VENTUS-2B, Burnsville, NC, Substantial damage. Report from tow pilot stated that after release of the glider, the aircraft began an immediate descent. Tow pilot called glider pilot and asked if he was ok… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 8, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88817. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 946 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417553&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement to FAA (item 2, .PDF, 85 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417554&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement%20to%20FAA-Redacted.PDF - Tow Pilot Statement (item 3, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417555&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Tow%20Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Reports from Local Agencies - Police Report (item 4, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417558&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Local%20Agencies%20-%20Police%20Report-Master.PDF - Photos Provided by Police (item 5, .PDF, 9 photos, 710 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417556&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20Provided%20by%20Police-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 6, .PDF, 241 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417557&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-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.