Schempp-Hirth Ventus Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 37 events recorded from 1984 to 2015.

37

All Events

11

Incidents

5

Minor

11

Serious

10

Fatal (10 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Jun 01, 1994 FAIRFIELD, PA N166W Serious (1) substantial THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE MANEUVER.
May 31, 1992 TUCSON, AZ N8KS Serious (1) destroyed
THE INFLIGHT DISCONNECTION OF THE RIGHT AILERON 'OTELLIER COUPLER FITTING DUE TO LUBRICANTS ON THE COUPLER SLIDE LOCK PLATE, AND THE FAILURE OF THE GL…

THE INFLIGHT DISCONNECTION OF THE RIGHT AILERON 'OTELLIER COUPLER FITTING DUE TO LUBRICANTS ON THE COUPLER SLIDE LOCK PLATE, AND THE FAILURE OF THE GLIDER MANUFACTURER TO INCLUDE APPROPRIATE PRECAUTIONARY INFORMATION IN THE MAINTENANCE AND/OR FLIGHT MANUAL. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE FAILURE OF THE GLIDER AND FITTING MANUFACTURERS TO MANDATE FAIL/SAFE DEVICES FOR THE COUPLER FITTING, AND THE DESIGN OF THE GLIDER REGARDING THE FACILITATION OF THE COUPLER CONNECTIONS DURING THE GLIDER ASSEMBLY PROCESS.

Aug 31, 1991 MOJAVE, CA N901DH Serious (1) destroyed
THE GLIDER PILOT'S INADEQUATE ALTITUDE TO CLEAR TERRAIN. FACTORS WHICH RELATED TO THE PILOT BEING LOW COULD NOT BE ESTABLISHED BECAUSE THE PILOT HAD …

THE GLIDER PILOT'S INADEQUATE ALTITUDE TO CLEAR TERRAIN. FACTORS WHICH RELATED TO THE PILOT BEING LOW COULD NOT BE ESTABLISHED BECAUSE THE PILOT HAD NO MEMORY OF THE ACCIDENT, AND NO WITNESSES WERE IDENTIFIED WHO OBSERVED THE GLIDER OTHER THAN DURING ITS FINAL FEW SECONDS OF FLIGHT.

Jul 02, 1991 MARFA, TX N9999R Incident substantial THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE APPROACH. FACTORS WERE THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, THE DOWNDRAFT, AND THE DTERIORTED CLIMB PERFORMANCE.
Jun 13, 1991 DURANGO, CO N418CH Fatal (1) destroyed THE ABSENCE OF THERMAL LIFT, THE PILOT'S APPREHENSION, AND HIS LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA.
Apr 07, 1991 LAKE COBB, CA N81PT Minor substantial THAT THE PILOT'S VISUAL LOOKOUT WAS IMPROPER. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE UNMARKED TRANSMISSION WIRE.
Jun 13, 1990 HAWTHORNE, NV N90DM Incident substantial THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING.
Aug 24, 1986 MIDDLETOWN, NY N7XT Fatal (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Jan 01, 1986 ALAMOGORDO, NM N166JD Serious (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Aug 10, 1985 COLORADO SPRGS, CO N25RN Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
Jun 19, 1985 WAITSFIELD, VT N240WT Fatal (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Jul 12, 1984 EPHRATA, WA N17KS Fatal (1) substantial Investigation pending
Disclaimer: This data is sourced from the NTSB Aviation Accident Database. NTSB events reflect reported accidents and incidents and do not necessarily indicate a defect in the aircraft type. Many events involve pilot error, weather conditions, maintenance issues, or other factors unrelated to the aircraft design. This information is provided for research purposes only — consult official NTSB reports for complete details.
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Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data