# NTSB SEA90LA119: Schempp-Hirth Ventus B/16.6, N90DM, Hawthorne, NV, June 13, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 13, 1990, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Hawthorne, NV
- Coordinates: 38.48014, -118.639602 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4801&lon=-118.6396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41227
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41227/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA119

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - sign (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE SHEMPP-HIRTH VENTUS SAILPLANE ELECTED TO LAND ON A HIGHWAY, SHORT OF HIS DISTINATION IN A COMPETITIVE EVENT. THE SAILPLANE STRUCK ROADSIDE REFLECTORS AND SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N90DM (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SCHEMPP-HIRTH VENTUS B/16.6 (VENTUS B/1)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 81
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Richard T. Mockler
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: MEV, MINDEN, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,050 total, 50 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900613023389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900613023389A), Jun 13, 1990: Sphrth VENTUSB, Hawthorne, NV, Substantial damage. Ran out of lift en route on a glider competition. Landing on a road, struck roadside reflectors.

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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