# NTSB LAX95LA285: Schempp-Hirth CIRRUS-B, N462E, Peoria, AZ, August 10, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 10, 1995, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Peoria, AZ - Coordinates: 33.649066, -112.239151 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6491&lon=-112.2392&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 30, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29178 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA285 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29178/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA285 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper inflight decision to attempt a tail wind landing to a short runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - short runway/landing area (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis AFTER TAKEOFF AND REACHING 3,000 FEET, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF THERMAL LIFT AND DECIDED TO MAKE A LANDING TO A 1,500-FOOT EMERGENCY AIRSTRIP. HE ELECTED TO LAND UPHILL TO THE NORTH WITH A 10 KNOT TAIL WIND, GUSTING TO 20 KNOTS. WHILE ON SHORT FINAL, HE ENCOUNTERED A THERMAL LIFT AND REALIZED HE WOULD LAND TOO LONG AND HE EXECUTED AN 'S' MANEUVER TO LOSE ALTITUDE. DURING THE TURN, THE RIGHT WING COLLIDED WITH GROUND. HE REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE GLIDER. ## Factual narrative On August 10, 1995, at 1400 hours mountain standard time, the pilot of a Schempp-Hirth Cirrus-B glider, N462E, attempted an off-airport landing to an emergency airstrip after experiencing a loss of thermal lift while flying near Peoria, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time. The aircraft received substantial damage during the forced landing and the pilot received minor injuries. The aircraft departed from the Pleasant Valley Airport at 1315 hours. The pilot reported in his report that after takeoff he encountered poor lift conditions at 3,000 feet mean sea level and decided to land at a small 1,500-foot emergency airstrip. The airstrip is on a north-south orientation with an uphill slope to the north. The pilot elected to land to the north with a tailwind of 10 knots. The pilot indicated that when he was about 200 feet above the ground on final approach he encountered a thermal lift and was unable to loose altitude despite using full spoilers. At this time, the pilot initiated an "S" turn to the left to lose altitude. During the turning maneuver, the pilot lost lift and the right wing collided with the ground. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the glider. Afterwards, he determined that the winds were gusting up to 20 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N462E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N462E-2013-08-19), registration cancelled 2013-08-19, S/N 216, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schempp-Hirth CIRRUS-B - Registry model: [Schempp-Hirth STANDARD CIRRUS](https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-standard-cirrus) (registry code 38019VE) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 216 - Airframe hours: 1549 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Hans Heydrich - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 2, 1995, 79 hours before - Departed: AZ05 - Airport: runway 36, 1,500 × 70 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; private; seat: front; flight hours: 192 total, 62 in this make and model, 184 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 109 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19950810040359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950810040359A), Aug 10, 1995: Sphrth CIRRUS, Peoria, AZ, Substantial damage. Ran out of thermals. Tried land at small dirt strip. Landed downwind up slope. Too high wing hit ground on s turn. ## Other investigations on N462E (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX73DUJ75](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX73DUJ75), Apr 14, 1973: Schemp Cirrus (N462E), San Manuel, AZ, substantial damage 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.