Schempp-Hirth Ventus-B accident near Peoria, AZ
On September 7, 2002, a Schempp-Hirth Ventus-B (glider) was involved in an accident near Peoria, AZ. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- September 7, 2002
- Place
- Peoria, AZ
- Aircraft
- Schempp-Hirth Ventus-B · Glider
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 33.035°N, 112.043°W
- NTSB ID
- 20020910X01567
NTSB summary
On September 7, 2002, at 1615 mountain standard time, a Schempp-Hirth Ventus-B non-powered glider, N114RP, was destroyed when it impacted Lake Pleasant while maneuvering near Peoria, Arizona. The glider was registered to and operated by the pilot. The private pilot, sole occupant of the glider, sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from the Pleasant Valley Airport, Peoria, Arizona, at 1400. The glider pilot radioed the Turf Soaring School, located at the Pleasant Valley Airport, and stated that he would be attempting a landing to a boat ramp area along Lake Pleasant. Witnesses at the lake reported that they initially observed the glider flying west, "very low" over the lake. Witnesses, who were in boats and heading west toward the boat ramps, reported that the glider passed directly overhead and was between 100 and 300 feet above the water. The glider made a left turn to the south, out over the water, pitched-up, and "stalled." One witness reported that the left turn occurred "suddenly". Subsequently, the glider entered a descent and impacted the surface of the lake. Examination of the glider by an FAA inspector did not reveal any preexisting anomalies. The pilot was issued a private pilot certificate, with a glider rating, on December 10, 1995. According to the pilot's logbook, between January 20th, 2002, and the time of the accident, he had accumulated a total of 237.1 hours in gliders. On April 9, 1982, the 1981-model
Probable cause
The pilot's abrupt maneuver, which resulted in an inadvertent stall.
More accidents in AZ
- De Havilland DHC-6-300, Sep 27, 1989
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- Cessna 421C, Sep 2, 1995
Browse: Arizona · Schempp-Hirth aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
