Schempp-Hirth VENTUS-C N166W

Summary

On 1 June 1994 at about 18:20 local time, a Schempp-Hirth VENTUS-C registered N166W, operated by Savory, William J., was involved in an accident near Fairfield, Pennsylvania, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 June 1994 at 18:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Fairfield, Pennsylvania, United States

Coordinates

39.7801, -77.3591

Aircraft

Schempp-Hirth VENTUS-C

Registration

N166W

Category

Glider

Operator

Savory, William J.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

BFO94LA083

1 person was seriously injured.

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE MANEUVER.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE GLIDER SUDDENLY PITCHED UP AS HE DESCENDED THROUGH THE 'START GATE' AT A GLIDER COMPETITION. HE ADMITTED THAT THE PITCH-UP WAS 'PROBABLY PILOT INDUCED.' HE STATED THAT HE THEN HEARD A LOUD CRACKING NOISE AND HIS HAND-HELD RADIO FELL LOOSE IN THE COCKPIT. HE ATTEMPTED TO RETRIEVE THE RADIO, BUT IT BROKE THROUGH THE CANOPY. THE PILOT DECIDED TO EXIT THE AIRPLANE AFTER FAILED ATTEMPTS TO REGAIN CONTROL. HE RELEASED HIMSELF FROM THE SEAT RESTRAINTS AND FELL THROUGH THE PLEXIGLASS CANOPY. HE DEPLOYED HIS PARACHUTE AND LANDED IN A TREE, AND THEN FELL FROM THE TREE ONTO THE GROUND, CAUSING SERIOUS INJURIES. THE UNMANNED GLIDER IMPACTED TERRAIN INVERTED AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE FLIGHT CONTROLS, CANOPY, OR SEAT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS WERE FOUND.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.