# NTSB FTW95LA209: Purdy HP-18, N15DP, Hempstead, TX, May 21, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1995, 14:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Hempstead, TX
- Coordinates: 30.089408, -96.079978 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0894&lon=-96.0800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19427
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA209
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19427/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA209

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR IN FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION. THE LACK OF THERMAL LIFT WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - weather condition - no thermal lift (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - other

## Analysis

THE GLIDER BEGAN DESCENDING DUE TO THE LACK OF THERMAL LIFTING. WHEN THE GLIDER HAD DESCENDED BELOW 1000 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL (AGL), THE PILOT MADE THE DECISION TO MAKE A LANDING TO AN OPEN FIELD.  DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE GLIDER'S LEFT WING STRUCK A HAY BALE, CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE WING. THE PILOT STATED IN THE PILOT/OPERATOR REPORT THAT THIS ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY HAVING 'A LANDING SPOT AND PATTERN SET UP PRIOR TO DESCENDING BELOW 1000 FEET AGL.'

## Factual narrative

On May 21, 1995, at 1445 central daylight time, a Purdy HP-18, N15DP, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Hempstead, Texas.  The pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight.

The pilot reported the following information to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector.  The glider began descending due to the lack of thermal lifting.  When the glider had descended below 1000 feet above ground level (AGL), the pilot made the decision to make a landing to an open field.  During the landing roll the glider's left wing struck a hay bale, causing substantial damage to the wing.

The pilot stated in the Pilot/Operator Report that this accident could have been prevented by having "a landing spot and pattern set up prior to descending below 1000 feet AGL."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15DP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15DP-2012-08-01), registration cancelled 2012-08-01, S/N 47, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PURDY HP-18
- Registry model: [Purdy HP-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/purdy-hp-18) (registry code 05647L6) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider, amateur-built
- Serial number: 47
- Airframe hours: 588
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Myron G. Haley
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1995, 5 hours before
- Departed: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 3,900 total, 5 in this make and model, 3,800 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19950521012129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950521012129A), May 21, 1995: Amtr HP18, Hempstead, TX, Substantial damage. Ran out of lift. Elected land in a field. Wing struck a hay bale.

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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