Schempp-Hirth K G MINI-NIMBUS C N16MG

Summary

On 16 March 2021 at about 16:52 local time, a Schempp-Hirth K G MINI-NIMBUS C registered N16MG was involved in an accident near Groveland, Florida, 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

16 March 2021 at 16:52

Classification

Accident

Location

Groveland, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Seminole Lake Gliderport (6FL0)

Coordinates

28.4089, -81.8370

Aircraft

Schempp-Hirth K G MINI-NIMBUS C

Registration

N16MG

Category

Glider

Year built

1979

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA21LA156

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot’s unsuccessful initial attempt to release from the tow plane at the start of an unstable takeoff roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with a parked vehicle. Contributing to the severity of the accident was the vehicle’s proximity to the active runway.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

On the day of the accident, the pilot was participating in a glider competition event. During the takeoff roll under aerotow, the glider yawed to the left as the left wingtip dropped to the ground. As the glider approached an access road east of the runway, the pilot attempted to release from the tow plane; however, his hand slipped off the release handle. He was subsequently able to release from the tow plane and attempted to turn and stop but was unsuccessful. The glider struck an unoccupied parked pickup truck. The pilot was seriously injured, and the glider sustained substantial damage to the forward fuselage and right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. If the pilot’s initial attempt to release from the tow plane had been successful, it likely would have allowed him more time to reduce speed or change course before the collision. The reason for the left yaw was not identified. The truck was parked in or near a strip along the left side of the runway that was to remain clear of personal vehicles during landing operations. Had the truck instead been parked in the designated parking area, the collision may have been prevented or its severity may have been reduced.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.