Purdy HP-18 N15DP

Summary

On 21 May 1995 at about 19:45 local time, a Purdy HP-18 registered N15DP was involved in an accident near Hempstead, Texas, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 May 1995 at 19:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Hempstead, Texas, United States

Coordinates

30.0894, -96.0800

Aircraft

Purdy HP-18

Registration

N15DP

Category

Glider

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

FTW95LA209

Nobody was injured.

THE PILOT'S POOR IN FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION. THE LACK OF THERMAL LIFT WAS A FACTOR.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE GLIDER BEGAN DESCENDING DUE TO THE LACK OF THERMAL LIFTING. WHEN THE GLIDER HAD DESCENDED BELOW 1000 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL (AGL), THE PILOT MADE THE DECISION TO MAKE A LANDING TO AN OPEN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE GLIDER'S LEFT WING STRUCK A HAY BALE, CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE WING. THE PILOT STATED IN THE PILOT/OPERATOR REPORT THAT THIS ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY HAVING 'A LANDING SPOT AND PATTERN SET UP PRIOR TO DESCENDING BELOW 1000 FEET AGL.'

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.