Schempp Hirth ARCUS N215MM

Summary

On 1 July 2019 at about 19:59 local time, a Schempp Hirth ARCUS registered N215MM was involved in an accident near Ephraim, Utah, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 July 2019 at 19:59

Classification

Accident

Location

Ephraim, Utah, United States

Coordinates

39.3850, -111.4992

Aircraft

Schempp Hirth ARCUS

Registration

N215MM

Category

Glider

Year built

2012

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Nephi → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR19FA183

2 people died.

The pilot's decision to maneuver in close proximity to terrain while attempting to remain in an area of lift, which resulted in a collision with trees.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot and passenger onboard the glider was participating in a soaring competition. Data from an onboard flight recorder were consistent with the pilot climbing in various areas of thermal lift, reaching a peak altitude of 6,935 ft above ground level about 50 minutes into the flight. During the subsequent approximate 30 minutes of the flight, the glider proceeded south southwesterly along a ridgeline, circling several times in different locations, but the glider continued to descend. Data indicated that the glider was in a right turn about 185 ft above terrain before it impacted a tree. Postaccident examination revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Review of weather information indicated a conditionally unstable environment and likely thermal lift in the area, though satellite imagery depicted clear skies over the immediate area of the accident site, with fair weather cumulus clouds located east of the site. Wind conditions in the area of the accident site were likely insufficient to provide orographic lift. The pilot’s maneuvering in close proximity to terrain was consistent with his attempt to obtain or remain in an area of lift; it is possible that the glider may have encountered adverse wind that resulted in a loss of control at an altitude too low for recovery, or that the pilot initiated a 360° turn at an inadequate distance from terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.