Hoffmann HK36R SUPER DIMONA N63RK

Summary

On 5 September 2011 at about 20:14 local time, a Hoffmann HK36R SUPER DIMONA registered N63RK was involved in an accident near Winsted, Minnesota, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, 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

5 September 2011 at 20:14

Classification

Accident

Location

Winsted, Minnesota, United States

Coordinates

44.9497, -94.0667

Aircraft

Hoffmann HK36R SUPER DIMONA

Registration

N63RK

Category

Glider

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Minneapolis → Winsted

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN11LA623

1 person died.

The pilot did not maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While on a visual approach to the runway, the pilot elected to perform a 360-degree turn at low altitude under idle engine power to allow for spacing between his airplane and an airplane near the runway. The passenger reported that, after completing the 360-turn, the pilot said something like "oh, oh," and then the pilot pitched the airplane's nose down, consistent with a recovery maneuver from an aerodynamic stall. The airplane impacted terrain short of the runway, and the passenger could not recall if the pilot applied engine power prior to the impact. The airplane's structure remained fairly intact, consistent with a low angle of impact. There was no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.