# NTSB NYC89DNC01: Bonds & Bungey HP-14, Warren/Sugarbus, VT, July 29, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 29, 1989, 15:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Warren/Sugarbus, VT
- Location: 44.1120° N, 72.8559° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Warren, VT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1120&lon=-72.8559&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36246
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89DNC01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36246/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89DNC01

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHILE MANEUVERING IN SHIFTING/TURBULENT AIR, AND HIS INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION TO AVOID OR RECOVER FROM THE INADVERTENT SPIN.  THE SHIFTING/TURBULENT/GUSTY WIND CONDITION WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER HAD BEEN RIDGE FLYING IN THE GLIDER FOR SEVERAL HOURS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.  ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE GLIDER ENTERED A SPIN & TURNED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE CRASHING NEAR THE TOP OF A WOODED MOUNTAIN.  THE WITNESSES, WHO WERE IN OTHER GLIDERS, SAID THE WIND WAS SHIFTING FROM WEST TO NORTHWEST AT 10 GUSTING 20 KTS WITH THERMALS & TURBULENCE IN THE AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: GQLB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BONDS & BUNGEY HP-14
- Category: Glider, amateur-built
- Serial number: CB 002
- Airframe hours: 299
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Peter Kurt Bretschneider
- Last inspection: Annual, May 21, 1989, 44 hours before
- Departed: OB7, WARREN, VT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private, foreign; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 353 total, 54 in this make and model, 275 as pilot in command, 62 in the last 90 days, 44 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BTV, 26 nm away

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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