Schempp-Hirth Ventus A accident near Midlothian, TX
On July 23, 2008, a Schempp-Hirth Ventus A (glider) was involved in an accident near Midlothian, TX. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- July 23, 2008
- Place
- Midlothian, TX
- Aircraft
- Schempp-Hirth Ventus A · Glider
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 32.351°N, 97.003°W
- NTSB ID
- 20080729X01126
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 23, 2008, about 1225 central daylight time (CDT), a Schempp-Hirth Ventus-A glider, N47JD, impacted terrain approximately two miles south of the Texas Soaring Association (TSA) Gliderport (TA11), Midlothian, Texas. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. The glider was destroyed. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local flight originated at TA11. The pilot was flying a recreational flight and at the same time providing pre-contest soaring condition reports for a soaring competition at TA11. The pilot was not officially associated with, nor a participant in the competition. Witness reports state the glider appeared to be flying normally when it suddenly climbed abruptly then nosed over into a steep dive and disappeared from view in a forested area. Recovered flight data from an on board recording device substantiated the witness testimony. On scene examination of the glider revealed portions of both wings and the empennage were separated from the fuselage by impact with trees and terrain. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The 85 year old pilot held an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, airplane single engine sea, airplane multi-engine land, airplane multi-engine sea, and a commercial pilot certificate with a glider rating. His last Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) second-class medical was issued on August 30, 1996. The pilot’s log bo
Probable cause
The pilot's inability to maintain aircraft control due to an incapacitating cardiac event. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's poor decision to fly with known serious medical issues.
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Browse: Texas · 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.
