Schempp-Hirth Ventus Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 37 events recorded from 1984 to 2015.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 24, 2015 | Blacksburg, VA | N710JC | Serious (1) | substantial |
A loss of thermal lift during a motor glider flight, which resulted in an off-airport landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to…A loss of thermal lift during a motor glider flight, which resulted in an off-airport landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from power lines during the off-airport landing attempt. |
| Jun 23, 2015 | Hobbs, NM | N172VC | Incident | substantial | The pilot's improper compensation for gusty wind conditions which resulted in impact with terrain short of the runway. |
| Feb 18, 2014 | Burnsville, NC | N411SD | Serious (1) | substantial | The pilot's improper use of the spoilers, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and subsequent impact with trees. |
| Jun 02, 2013 | Corona, NM | N62TW | Minor | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while ridge-soaring in gusty wind conditions. |
| May 18, 2012 | Duncansville, PA | N900BM | Serious (1) | substantial |
The glider’s encounter with atmospheric lift conditions not sufficient to clear terrain, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the a…The glider’s encounter with atmospheric lift conditions not sufficient to clear terrain, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to continue turning toward a ridgeline. |
| Oct 18, 2010 | Warren, VT | N188PX | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's inadvertent deployment of the airbrake handle past the upper limit of its normal operating range, which resulted in binding of the control…The pilot's inadvertent deployment of the airbrake handle past the upper limit of its normal operating range, which resulted in binding of the controls. |
| Aug 20, 2010 | Madisonville, TX | N710RJ | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain control of the glider while landing in a crosswind. |
| Jun 15, 2010 | Parowan, UT | N514TW | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to see and avoid the other glider climbing in the same thermal. |
| Aug 08, 2009 | St. Elmo, AL | N70ZZ | Minor | substantial |
A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the…A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the forced landing. |
| Jun 29, 2009 | Paragonah, UT | N68MP | Fatal (1) | substantial | The glider departed controlled flight for undetermined reasons. |
| Aug 09, 2008 | Brackettville, TX | N777UN | Serious (1) | substantial | The failure of the pilot of N777UN to exit the thermal upon losing visual contact with the other gliders, resulting in a midair collision. |
| Jul 23, 2008 | Midlothian, TX | N47JD | Fatal (1) | destroyed |
The pilot's inability to maintain aircraft control due to an incapacitating cardiac event. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's poor decision …The pilot's inability to maintain aircraft control due to an incapacitating cardiac event. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's poor decision to fly with known serious medical issues. |
| Oct 26, 2007 | Salida, CO | N36LB | Fatal (1) | destroyed | The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering resulting in an inadvertent stall and impact with terrain. |
| Aug 10, 2007 | Benton, CA | N41BM | Fatal (1) | destroyed |
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering and the inadvertent entry into a stall/spin. Contributing to the accident were the …The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering and the inadvertent entry into a stall/spin. Contributing to the accident were the mountainous terrain conditions, unfavorable wind conditions, and the terrain-induced turbulent wind conditions. |
| Aug 04, 2007 | Greensboro, VT | N60LK | Incident | substantial | The pilot's delayed decision to divert to a suitable landing area. Contributing to the accident was the uneven terrain of the forced landing site. |
| Jul 05, 2007 | Bridgeport, CA | N11YD | Minor | substantial | The pilot's encounter with an unfavorable wind and high sink rate conditions. |
| Apr 22, 2006 | Midlothian, TX | N340TW | Serious (1) | minor | The inadvertent deployment of the spoilers during the aero tow takeoff for undetermined reasons, resulting in a hard landing. |
| Aug 07, 2003 | Boulder, CO | N25RN | Incident | substantial |
pilot's improper in-flight planning and decision making. Contributing factors include the thunderstorms, the lack of suitable terrain available for a …pilot's improper in-flight planning and decision making. Contributing factors include the thunderstorms, the lack of suitable terrain available for a precautionary landing and the water. |
| Sep 07, 2002 | Peoria, AZ | N114RP | Fatal (1) | destroyed | The pilot's abrupt maneuver, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. |
| Jun 19, 2000 | WARREN, VT | N800PF | Serious (1) | substantial | The pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions. A factor in the accident was the cross wind. |
| Jul 11, 1999 | HOBBS, NM | N176V | Incident | substantial | The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning. Factors were the loss of thermal lift, the subsequent stall/spin, and the fence post that he impacted. |
| Jun 15, 1998 | TAOS, NM | N94DP | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's improper flare. Contributing to the accident was the sudden wind shift which rendered the aircraft uncontrollable when the aircraft was o…The pilot's improper flare. Contributing to the accident was the sudden wind shift which rendered the aircraft uncontrollable when the aircraft was on final approach to land. |
| Feb 23, 1998 | WILLIAMS, CA | N948B | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance from the oil drilling rig due to his attention being diverted inside the cockpit in order the se…The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance from the oil drilling rig due to his attention being diverted inside the cockpit in order the secure the landing gear control. |
| Jul 05, 1997 | HOBBS, NM | N80077 | Fatal (1) | destroyed |
The pilot's failure to select an off-field landing site with sufficient time/altitude to perform the landing which led to his failure to maintain airs…The pilot's failure to select an off-field landing site with sufficient time/altitude to perform the landing which led to his failure to maintain airspeed. A factor was the unfavorable wind. |
| Aug 07, 1995 | ROCKSPRINGS, TX | N307L | Minor | substantial | DEBONDING OF MYLAR TAPE THAT WAS USED TO SEAL A GAP ON THE ELEVATOR, WHICH RESULTED IN INADEQUATE ELEVATOR CONTROL AUTHORITY. |