# NTSB NYC78FNE27: Schempp-Hir Cirrus, N2RQ, Fitchburg, MA, July 12, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: July 12, 1978
- Place: Fitchburg, MA · FITCHBURG, MA
- Location: 42.6019° N, 71.8157° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fitchburg, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6019&lon=-71.8157&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 1, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 140812
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC78FNE27
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC78FNE27

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2330  78/7/12    FITCHBURG,MA        SCHEMPP-HIR CIRRUS  CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1336                    N2RQ                PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  AGE 50, 1787 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            17 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - FITCHBURG
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          STERLING,MA                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL                                                    IN FLIGHT: DESCENDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        REMARKS- GLIDER WAS OBSERVED IN 50 DEG NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE PRIOR TO IMPACT.AUTOPSY NOT PERFORMED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2RQ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2RQ-2009-07-09), registration cancelled 2009-07-09, S/N 624, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHEMPP-HIR CIRRUS
- 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
- Engines: none
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Fitchburg

## 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 19780712018089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780712018089A), Jul 12, 1978: Sphrth CIRRUSSTD, Fitchburg, MA, Substantial damage. Glider was observed in 50 deg nose down attitude prior to impact. Psy not performed.

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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