# NTSB NYC91DNC03: Valentin GMB H Taifun 17E, N333VT, West Arlington, VT, July 19, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1991, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: West Arlington, VT
- Location: 43.1034° N, 73.2126° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of West Arlington, VT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1034&lon=-73.2126&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36764
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91DNC03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36764/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91DNC03

## Probable cause

PHYSIOLOGICAL INCAPACITATION DUE TO CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE WHICH RESULTED IN INCAPACITATION AND INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH TREES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - incapacitation(other cardiovascular), pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE POWERED GLIDER WAS OBSERVED TO MAKE THREE CIRCLES AND THEN DISAPPEAR BEHIND TREES.  A CRASH WAS HEARD AND THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED IN A WOODED AREA.  AN AUTOPSY REVEALED THE PILOT HAD CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, INCLUDING, 'SEVERE CORONARY ATHEROSCLEROSIS WITH THROMBOSIS OF BYPASS GRAFTS.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N333VT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N333VT-2015-05-05), registration cancelled 2015-05-05, S/N 1051, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VALENTIN GMB H TAIFUN 17E
- Registry model: [Valentin TAIFUN 17E](https://openairdocs.org/model/valentin-taifun-17e) (registry code 9370100) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Limbach 1700E](https://openairdocs.org/engine/limbach-1700e) (registry code 38602, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1051
- Airframe hours: 230
- Engines: LIMBACH L-2000-EBIB 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Orth, Robert H.
- Registered owner: Orth, Robert H.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 15, 1991, 7 hours before
- Departed: 0B7, WARREN, VT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, expired; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,942 total, 61 in this make and model, 1,942 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 54 °F

## 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 19910719028729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910719028729A), Jul 19, 1991: Valent TAIFUN17E, West Arlington, VT, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Observed circling low altitude, crashed into trees. Had no medical, severe heart condition.

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.