# NTSB SEA07CA162: Schempp-Hirth Nimbus-3DM, N374AM, Minden, NV, June 16, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 16, 2007, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Minden, NV
- Coordinates: 39.000831, -119.754997
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0008&lon=-119.7550&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 30, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65994
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07CA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65994/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA162

## Probable cause

The flight's encounter with severe downdrafts during cruise flight.  Contributing factors were the pilot's inadvertent selection of unsuitable terrain with hidden obstructions.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot of the motor glider reported that he had been airborne on a local soaring flight for about 30 minutes when the flight encountered "severe downdrafts."  Due to the downdrafts, he was unable to return to the airport and had to land in an alfalfa field.  During the landing roll, the glider collided with a ditch and a fence that were not visible during the landing approach.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the motor glider reported that he had been airborne on a local soaring flight for about 30 minutes when the flight encountered "severe downdrafts."  Due to the downdrafts, he was unable to return to the airport and had to land in an alfalfa field.  During the landing roll, the glider collided with a ditch and a fence that were not visible during the landing approach.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N374AM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N374AM-2015-05-04), registration cancelled 2015-05-04, S/N 9, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schempp-Hirth Nimbus-3DM
- Registry model: [Schempp-Hirth NIMBUS-3DM](https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-nimbus-3dm) (registry code 3801952) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 9
- Engines: Rotax 535C reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: MEV, Minden, NV
- Destination: MEV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; injuries: minor; flight engineer, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; flight hours: 20,200 total, 108 in this make and model, 225 in the last 90 days, 95 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 12 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 20070616012909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070616012909A), Jun 16, 2007: Amtr NIMBUS3DM, Genoa, NV, Substantial damage. (-23) While attempting to return to the minden-tahoe airport for landing, the pilot reported that he was caught in a downdraft and realized he could not make…

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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