# NTSB LAX97LA265: Schempp-Hirth DUO Discus, N125DD, Minden, NV, July 24, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 23, 1997, 17:00 local (Jul 24, 1997, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Minden, NV
- Coordinates: 39.009078, -119.750183 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0091&lon=-119.7502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 10, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29856
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA265
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29856/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA265

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to ensure that the wings were maintained at a lateral level attitude during the initial landing rollout.  A factor in the accident was the rough, uneven nature of the terrain chosen for the landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that on rollout from the off-field landing the right wing tip contacted the ground, and the glider turned sideways before coming to a stop.  A fracture was found on the aft part of the fuselage which went completely around the structure.

## Factual narrative

On July 23, 1997, at 1700 hours Pacific daylight time, a Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbaugh Duo Discus, N125DD, made an off field landing, contacted the ground with the right wing tip, and slid sideways before coming to a stop near Minden, Nevada.  The glider, owned by DDG, INC., sustained substantial damage.  The pilot and pilot rated passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions existed for the local personal flight and no flight plan was filed.  The flight originated from the Douglas County Airport, Minden, at 1300.

In a telephone interview conducted on July 29, 1997, the pilot stated that on rollout from the off field landing the right wing tip contacted the ground and the glider turned sideways before coming to a stop.  A fracture was found on the aft fuselage which went completely around the structure.

In his written report dated August 4, 1997, the pilot said that the landing gear control handle came out of it's detent during the landing roll, causing the landing gear to retract.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N125DD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N125DD), registered now, S/N 103, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schempp-Hirth DUO DISCUS
- Registry model: [Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau DUO DISCUS](https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-flugzeugbau-duo-discus) (registry code 3801901) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 103
- Airframe hours: 170
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David C. Campbell
- Registered owner: Ddg, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 20, 1996, 170 hours before
- Departed: MEV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; seat: front; flight hours: 1,653 total, 67 in this make and model, 1,406 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

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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