# NTSB LAX02LA277: Schempp-Hirth Ventus-B, N114RP, Peoria, AZ, September 7, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 7, 2002, 16:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Peoria, AZ - Coordinates: 33.035278, -112.042778 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0353&lon=-112.0428&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report May 13, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration (FSDO) - NTSB case key (mKey): 55651 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA277 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55651/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA277 ## Probable cause The pilot's abrupt maneuver, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - maneuver - abrupt, owner/pilot mechanic (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The glider pilot radioed to an FBO that he would be attempting a landing to a boat ramp near a lake. Witnesses at the lake reported that they initially observed the glider flying west, "very low" over the lake. A few witnesses, who were in boats and heading west toward the boat ramps, reported that the glider passed directly overhead and was between 100 and 300 feet above the water. The glider initiated a climbing left turn, stalled and, subsequently, impacted the lake. A review of the maintenance logbooks and examination of the glider by an FAA inspector did not reveal any pre-existing anomalies with the glider. ## Factual narrative On September 7, 2002, at 1615 mountain standard time, a Schempp-Hirth Ventus-B non-powered glider, N114RP, was destroyed when it impacted Lake Pleasant while maneuvering near Peoria, Arizona. The glider was registered to and operated by the pilot. The private pilot, sole occupant of the glider, sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from the Pleasant Valley Airport, Peoria, Arizona, at 1400. The glider pilot radioed the Turf Soaring School, located at the Pleasant Valley Airport, and stated that he would be attempting a landing to a boat ramp area along Lake Pleasant. Witnesses at the lake reported that they initially observed the glider flying west, "very low" over the lake. Witnesses, who were in boats and heading west toward the boat ramps, reported that the glider passed directly overhead and was between 100 and 300 feet above the water. The glider made a left turn to the south, out over the water, pitched-up, and "stalled." One witness reported that the left turn occurred "suddenly". Subsequently, the glider entered a descent and impacted the surface of the lake. Examination of the glider by an FAA inspector did not reveal any preexisting anomalies. The pilot was issued a private pilot certificate, with a glider rating, on December 10, 1995. According to the pilot's logbook, between January 20th, 2002, and the time of the accident, he had accumulated a total of 237.1 hours in gliders. On April 9, 1982, the 1981-model glider was issued a special airworthiness certificate in the experimental category. On March 24, 1998, the glider was registered to the current owner/pilot. On February 16, 2002, the glider underwent its most recent condition inspection, at which time it had accumulated a total of 2,035.6 hours. A review of the glider's logbook did not reveal any uncorrected maintenance items. At 1553, the weather observation facility at the Deer Valley Airport (DVT), Phoenix, Arizona, (located 14 miles southeast of the accident site) reported a few clouds at 12,000 feet, visibility 10 miles, wind from 150 degrees at 10 knots, temperature 88 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 66 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 29.77 inches of Mercury. At 1634, a special weather observation was issued from DVT, and the following weather conditions were reported: scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, broken clouds at 6,000 feet, and overcast clouds at 8,500 feet. The visibility was reported as 2.5 miles in heavy rain and mist, wind from 230 degrees at 14 knots gusting to 26 knots, temperature 77 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 73 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 29.81 inches of Mercury. The remarks section of the observation reported that the peak wind occurred at 1626 from 210 degrees at 26 knots, the wind shifted to 230 degrees at 17 knots, rain began 5 minutes after the hour, rain showers with unknown intensities to the southeast and southwest, and lightning observed in the distant southwest. An autopsy, performed by the Office of Medical Examiner of Phoenix, Arizona, did not reveal any preexisting disease or medical condition that contributed to the accident. The medical examiner classified the cause of death as accidental. Toxicological testing was performed by the FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The tests were negative for ethanol and drugs. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N114RP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N114RP-2004-05-20), registration cancelled 2004-05-20, S/N 68, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schempp-Hirth Ventus-B - Registry model: [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS-B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-ventus-b) (registry code 3802051) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 68 - Airframe hours: 2035.6 - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Hans Heydrich - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, February 16, 2002 - Departed: P48, Peoria, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: fatal; private; last flight review February 28, 2002; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 237 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.77 inHg - Observed at: DVT, 14 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 20020907025089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020907025089A), Sep 7, 2002: Sphrth VENTUSB, Peoria, AZ, No damage, 1 fatal. (-23) On September 7, 2002 @ approx 16:15 Mr. Heydrich was attempting to make a forced landing in his ventus-b glider on the 10 lane boat ramp at lake pleasant… 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.