# NTSB LAX97LA140: Hoffman, Wolf, Flugzeugbau Super Dimona HK 36R, N351HK, Scottsdale, AZ, March 18, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 18, 1997, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Scottsdale, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.610939, -111.889068 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6109&lon=-111.8891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 14, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29758
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29758/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA140

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate glide path.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - downdraft
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot was beginning to deploy his dive brakes over the runway when he when he encountered thermal activity.  The aircraft dropped, struck the runway, and then bounced back into the air.  After touching down a second time, the aircraft slid to a stop on the runway.  The pilot reported the conditions were clear and calm.

## Factual narrative

On March 18, at 1400 hours mountain standard time, a Hoffmann Super Dimona HK 36R motor glider, N351HK, was destroyed during a hard landing at the Scottsdale, Arizona, airport.  Neither the pilot nor his pilot rated passenger was injured.  The aircraft was being operated as a personal flight by the pilot/owner when the accident occurred.  The local flight originated from Scottsdale, Arizona, at 1357.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot stated that he was on climb out after departure from Scottsdale airport when he noted that his voltmeter was indicating a discharge.  Deciding to return, he contacted the control tower operator and was cleared to land on runway 21.  He said he was beginning to deploy his dive brakes, about 20 feet above the runway, when he encountered thermal activity.  The aircraft dropped, struck the runway, and then bounced about 30 to 40 feet back into the air.  After touching down a second time, the aircraft slid about 100 to 150 feet before coming to a stop on the runway.  The pilot reported the conditions were clear and calm at the time.

A postaccident inspection revealed the landing gear collapsed, the propeller was damaged, the canopy was cracked, the engine mounts were broken, and there were cracks and tears in the fuselage and wings.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N351HK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N351HK), registered now, S/N 36351 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Hoffman, Wolf, Flugzeugbau SUPER DIMONA HK 36R (SUPER DIMO)
- Registry model: [Hoffmann HK 36R SUPER DIMONA](https://openairdocs.org/model/hoffmann-hk-36r-super-dimona) (registry code 05625RL) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36-351
- Airframe hours: 249
- Engines: Rotax 912A 81 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Neal Hugh Olshan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, August 17, 1996, 3 hours before
- Departed: SDL
- Airport: SDL, Scottsdale, runway 21, 8,251 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 346 total, 68 in this make and model, 267 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SDL

## 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 19970318010069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970318010069A), Mar 18, 1997: Scottsdale, AZ, Destroyed. Volt meter discharge on climbout. Turned back on high flare deployed spoilers. Dropped to runway hard. Bounced.

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.