# NTSB WPR12CA304: Schempp Hirth Nimbus II, N96132, Redmond, OR, July 13, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 13, 2012, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Redmond, OR - Coordinates: 44.206943, -121.321113 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2069&lon=-121.3211&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 4, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 84318 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA304 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84318/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84318 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA304 ## Probable cause A loss of aerodynamic lift that resulted in a forced landing on unsuitable terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Environmental issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03030000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Schempp Hirth NIMBUS II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03030000/cases.md?model=38019VF), [All aircraft, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03030000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Schempp Hirth NIMBUS II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=38019VF), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Schempp Hirth NIMBUS II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=38019VF), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schempp Hirth NIMBUS II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=38019VF), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, his glider was towed to an altitude of 6,000 feet above mean sea level (msl), which was about 2,600 feet above ground level, and released. The glider achieved an altitude of 7,500 feet msl, and the pilot continued to an area that he normally used for soaring. Once he reached the location, he realized the glider was too low to glide back to the airport and that in order to get to the next available safe field for landing the glider would have to cross a tree line. Upon approach to the trees, the pilot did not think the glider would be able to clear them, so he set up his approach for landing onto a road adjacent to the tree line. On the landing roll the glider’s right wing struck a tree. The pilot reported that the right wing was damaged and that the tail boom had separated. He also stated that there were no mechanical problems with the glider prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, his glider was towed to an altitude of 6,500 feet above mean sea level (msl), which was about 2,600 feet above ground level (agl), and released. The glider achieved an altitude of 7,500 feet, and the pilot continued on to an area that he normally used for soaring. Once he reached the location, he realized the glider was too low to glide back to the airport, or to a known suitable field for an off-airport landing. The pilot stated that his option was to soar to the next available safe field for landing. However, in order to get to the field, the glider would have to cross over a tree line. Upon approach to the trees, the pilot did not think the glider would be able to make it over them, so he set up his approach for landing onto a road adjacent to the tree line. On the landing roll out the right wing struck a tree. The pilot reported that the right wing was damaged, and the tail boom had separated. He also stated that there were no mechanical problems with the glider. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N96132](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N96132-2018-01-10), registration cancelled 2018-01-10, S/N 131, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHEMPP HIRTH NIMBUS II - Registry model: [Schempp Hirth NIMBUS II](https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-nimbus-ii) (registry code 38019VF) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 131 - Airframe hours: 1196 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John R Bentley - Registered owner: John R Bentley - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 2012 - Departed: BDN, Bend, OR - Destination: Redmond, OR - Airport: BDN, Bend Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 29, 2012; seat: center; flight hours: 5,500 total, 150 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 9 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: RDM, 17 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 20120713013809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120713013809A), Jul 13, 2012: Schempp Hirth NIMBUS II, Bend, OR, Substantial damage. The glider's right wing contacted a tree during an off airport landing approximately 15 miles west of the Bend airport (kbdn). The glider was towed to an… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 2, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84318. 869 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 869 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374132&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.