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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Jan 01, 1986 | ALAMOGORDO, NM | N166JD | Serious (1) | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| Aug 10, 1985 | COLORADO SPRGS, CO | N25RN | Serious (1) | substantial | Investigation pending |