# NTSB LAX98LA092: Schempp-Hirth VENTUS-B, N948B, Williams, CA, February 23, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 22, 1998, 17:15 local (Feb 23, 1998, 01:15 UTC) - Place: Williams, CA - Coordinates: 39.110065, -122.270072 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1101&lon=-122.2701&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 30036 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA092 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30036/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA092 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance from the oil drilling rig due to his attention being diverted inside the cockpit in order the secure the landing gear control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final - object - vehicle - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that there was a drilling rig parked approximately 30 to 40 feet from the end of the runway and he was aware of the location of the rig before takeoff. He further stated that he usually placed a wooden wedge behind the landing gear handle to secure it in place before landing, but while on final he noticed that he had not yet secured it. While he attempted to secure it in place, he noticed that the aircraft had a very great rate of descent. He then 'concentrated in controlling the direction of the aircraft to land properly on the runway, looking ahead and losing reference of the drilling rig.' The right wingtip then hit the upper portion of the rig and approximately 3 to 4 feet of the wing separated from the aircraft, and the nose of the glider hit the ground. The glider spun to the right approximately 180 degrees before coming to a complete stop. ## Factual narrative On February 22, 1998, at 1715 hours Pacific standard time, a Schempp-Hirth Ventus-B glider, N948B, collided with a drilling rig while turning from left base to final at the Williams, California, airport. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and there was minor damage to the rig. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight and no flight plan was filed. The local flight initiated at 1230 and was terminating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that there was a drilling rig parked approximately 30 to 40 feet from the end of the runway and he was aware of the location of the rig before takeoff. He further stated that he usually placed a wooden wedge behind the landing gear handle to secure it in place before landing, but while on final he noticed that he had not yet secured it. While he attempted to secure it in place, he noticed that the aircraft had a "very great rate of descent." He then "concentrated in controlling the direction of the aircraft to land properly on the runway, looking ahead and losing reference of the drilling rig." The right wingtip then hit the upper portion of the rig and approximately 3 to 4 feet of the wing separated from the aircraft, and the nose of the glider hit the ground. The glider spun to the right approximately 180 degrees before coming to a complete stop. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N948B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N948B), registered now, S/N 56, 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: 56 - Airframe hours: 990 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Sergio Colacevich - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 1997, 121 hours before - Departed: Q12 - Airport: Q12, Williams, runway 16, 2,500 × 25 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; private; seat: center; flight hours: 1,509 total, 502 in this make and model, 1,489 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 8 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °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 19980222001659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980222001659A), Feb 22, 1998: Sphrth VENTUSB, Williams, CA, Substantial damage. On February 22, 1998, at 1715 hours pacific standard time, a schempp-hirth ventus-b glider, N948B, collided with a drilling rig while turning from left base to… 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.