# NTSB SEA86LA197: Schempp-Hirth Nimbus Iiit, N141V, Hawthorne, NV, July 30, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1986, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Hawthorne, NV
- Coordinates: 38.480545, -118.639167 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4805&lon=-118.6392&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40466
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86LA197
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40466/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA197

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, go-around (vfr)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

AFTER A 5 HOUR FLIGHT IN THE MOTORIZED GLIDER DURING WHICH THE ENGINE WAS UTILIZED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE PILOT RETURNED TO HIS DESTINATION. UPON ARRIVAL HE EXECUTED A NUMBER OF LOW PASSES OVER THE RUNWAY FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS. THE PILOT EXECUTED A FLY BY CONFIDENT THAT ENOUGH FUEL REMAINED FOR THE MANEUVER. DURING THE PULLUP THE REMAINING FUEL WAS EXHAUSTED AND THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING. NO FUEL GAUGE NOR LOW FUEL WARNING INDICATOR WAS INSTALLED IN THE AIRCRAFT AND THE PILOT HAD NO WAY OF ACCURATELY DETERMINING FUEL REMAINING. THE PLTS FLYING TIME WAS NOT REPORTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N141V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N141V), registered now, S/N 3, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schempp-Hirth NIMBUS IIIT (NIMBUS III)
- Registry model: [Schempp-Hirth NIMBUS 3T](https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-nimbus-3t) (registry code 3801951) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 3
- Engines: ROTAX 277 28 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Carl D. Herold
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: FLYING 'M' RNCH, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Observed at: HTH, 15 nm away

## 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 19860730038159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860730038159A), Jul 30, 1986: Sphrth NIMBUS3, Hawthorne, NV, Substantial damage. During pullup after a low flyby,the engine stopped due to fuel exhaustion. No fuel gauge or warning light available.

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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