# NTSB GAA19CA469: Schempp Hirth Ventus 2A, N57LK, Wurtsboro, NY, July 26, 2019

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 26, 2019, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Wurtsboro, NY
- Coordinates: 41.597221, -74.458335 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5972&lon=-74.4583&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Cabin safety event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 13, 2020
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 99969
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA469
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99969/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99969
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA469

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to properly secure the glider’s canopy before flight, which resulted in it opening in flight and the pilot's inability to maintain an appropriate final approach path and altitude, which resulted in impact with a shipping container.

## 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 2A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=3802060), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3802060), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=3802060), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=3802060), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=3802060), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=3802060), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Cabin safety event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110) (defining event); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110/sequence.md?model=3802060), [All aircraft, 151 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3802060), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, while being towed, the glider began to climb, and the canopy opened. The pilot released the glider from the tow airplane, and he reached up and closed the canopy. He decreased the glider's airspeed and made a 180° right turn to final. On final, the glider was high, and he deployed the airbrakes, but the canopy opened again. The pilot closed the canopy and held it shut with his left hand while trying to control the glider with his right hand, but the altitude decreased "very quickly." The glider's wingtip struck a shipping container just short of the runway. The glider sustained substantial damage to the left wing and the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The glider pilot reported that, while being towed the glider began to climb and the canopy opened. The pilot released the glider from the tow airplane, and he reached up and closed the canopy. He recalled that he decreased the glider's airspeed, and he made a 180° right turn to final. On final, the glider was high, and he deployed the airbrakes, but the canopy opened again. The pilot closed the canopy and held it shut with his left hand, while trying to control the glider with his right hand, but the glider's altitude decreased "very quickly." The glider's wingtip struck a shipping container that was just short of the runway. The glider sustained substantial damage to the left wing and the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57LK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N57LK), registered now, S/N 137, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schempp Hirth VENTUS 2A (No Series)
- Registry model: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-ventus-2a) (registry code 3802060) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 137
- Year built: 2002
- Airframe hours: 876.8
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 4, 2018
- Departed: N82, Wurtsboro, NY
- Destination: N82, Wurtsboro, NY
- Airport: N82, Wurtsboro-Sullivan County, runway 05, 3,591 × 60 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic primary flight display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; injuries: minor; private; last flight review August 13, 2017; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 174 total, 150 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.26 inHg
- Observed at: KMGJ, 10 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 20190726015689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190726015689A), Jul 26, 2019: Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2A, Wurtsboro, NY, Substantial damage. Accident occurred 07/26/19 1800Z Wurtsboro NY (N82) shortly after departure aircraft attempted to returned to land. N57LK Schempp-Hirth glider crashed into…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 9, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99969. 4.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479739&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Photo (item 2, .PDF, 141 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479740&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.

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