Schempp-Hirth Ventus B/16.6 accident near Salida, CO
On October 26, 2007, a Schempp-Hirth Ventus B/16.6 (glider) was involved in an accident near Salida, CO. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- October 26, 2007
- Place
- Salida, CO
- Aircraft
- Schempp-Hirth Ventus B/16.6 · Glider
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 38.451°N, 106.017°W
- NTSB ID
- 20071030X01689
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 26, 2007, approximately 1340 mountain daylight time, a Schempp-Hirth Ventus B/16.6 glider, N36LB, was destroyed when it impacted terrain while maneuvering near Salida, Colorado. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant and registered owner of the glider, sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. The local flight departed the Harriet Alexander Field (ANK), Salida, Colorado, approximately 1314. According to local authorities, the glider was towed by an airplane from ANK to an altitude of 11,800 feet mean sea level (msl) approximately 7 miles south of Salida. At 1327, the glider released from the tow airplane, and the tow airplane returned to ANK to tow another glider that was to join the accident glider. At 1339, when the tow airplane returned with the other glider, the tow airplane and other glider attempted to contact the accident glider via radio. The attempts to contact the accident glider were unsuccessful. The weather at the time of the accident was reported as sky clear and light winds. At 2215, an Alert Notice was issued by the Prescott Flight Service Station, Prescott, Arizona, for the accident glider. On October 27th at 2100, the Civil Air Patrol located the glider wreckage in tree-covered mountainous terrain approximately 7 miles south of Salida. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot, age 53, held a private pilot certificate with a glider rating. The pilot did not hold a current Federal Aviation Administr
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering resulting in an inadvertent stall and impact with terrain.
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Browse: Colorado · 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.
