Schempp-Hirth VENTUS A N307L

Summary

On 7 August 1995 at about 22:30 local time, a Schempp-Hirth VENTUS A registered N307L was involved in an accident near Rocksprings, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 August 1995 at 22:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Rocksprings, Texas, United States

Coordinates

30.0094, -100.2091

Aircraft

Schempp-Hirth VENTUS A

Registration

N307L

Category

Glider

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Uvlade → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW95LA335

1 person had minor injuries.

DEBONDING OF MYLAR TAPE THAT WAS USED TO SEAL A GAP ON THE ELEVATOR, WHICH RESULTED IN INADEQUATE ELEVATOR CONTROL AUTHORITY.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, AS HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE TO GLIDE SPEED, HE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH ELEVATOR CONTROL. HE SAID HE HAD TO APPLY FULL ELEVATOR BEFORE THE GLIDER WOULD RESPOND TO THE CONTROL INPUTS AND THAT IT RESPONDED VERY SLOWLY.' THE PILOT WAS GOING TO LAND ON A RANCH ROAD; HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THE CONTROL PROBLEM, HE DETERMINED IT WAS SAFER TO BAIL OUT. THE GLIDER IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE, DAMAGING THE FUSELAGE, HORIZONTAL STABILIZER, AND CANOPY. EXAMINATION OF THE GLIDER REVEALED THAT MYLAR TAPE, WHICH WAS USED AS A GAP SEAL FOR THE ELEVATOR, HAD PARTIALLY SEPARATED.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.