# NTSB LAX91LA378: Schempp-Hirth VENTUS-B, N901DH, Mojave, CA, August 31, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1991, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Mojave, CA
- Coordinates: 35.14923, -117.919006 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1492&lon=-117.9190&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27345
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA378
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27345/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA378

## Probable cause

THE GLIDER PILOT'S INADEQUATE ALTITUDE TO CLEAR TERRAIN.  FACTORS WHICH RELATED TO THE PILOT BEING LOW COULD NOT BE ESTABLISHED BECAUSE THE PILOT HAD NO MEMORY OF THE ACCIDENT, AND NO WITNESSES WERE IDENTIFIED WHO OBSERVED THE GLIDER OTHER THAN DURING ITS FINAL FEW SECONDS OF FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined

## Analysis

WHILE PARTICIPATING IN A GLIDER CONTEST, THE PILOT TRAVELED FOR 17 NAUTICAL MILES AND REACHED THE FIRST TURN POINT IN THE SPECIFIED TRIANGULAR COURSE.  THE GLIDER PILOT WAS LOW, AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND AT A NEARBY AIRSTRIP. WITNESSES REPORTED OBSERVING THE GLIDER FLYING DOWNWIND AT 50 TO 100 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND.  WHEN THE GLIDER TURNED TOWARD THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY IT LOST ALTITUDE AND COLLIDED WITH A DIRT BERM ON THE EDGE OF THE RUNWAY.  THE DESCRIPTION OF THE GLIDER'S FLIGHT PATH WAS BASED UPON WITNESS STATEMENTS.  THE PILOT HAD NO MEMORY OF THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N901DH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N901DH-2013-06-11), registration cancelled 2013-06-11, S/N 151, built 1983 (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: 151
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hutchinson Family Trust
- Registered owner: Hutchinson Family Trust
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: L71, CALIFORNIA CITY, CA
- Airport: 77L, Kelso Valley Ranch, runway 18, 3,000 × 50 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; flight hours: 1,044 total, 1,037 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 115 °F

## 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 19910831037429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910831037429A), Aug 31, 1991: Sphrth VENTUSB, Mojave, CA, Destroyed. Glider made a right turn. Lost altitude and crashed into a hollow dirt berm on edge of runway.

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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