Schempp-Hirth VENTUS-2C N340TW
22 April 2006 · Midlothian, Texas, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 22 April 2006 at about 19:00 local time, a Schempp-Hirth VENTUS-2C registered N340TW was involved in an accident near Midlothian, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 19:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Midlothian, Texas, United States
- Nearest airport
- Tsa (TA11)
- Coordinates
- Not recorded
- Aircraft
- Schempp-Hirth VENTUS-2C
- Registration
- N340TW
- Category
- Glider
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Glider Tow
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Midlothian → Midlothian
- Aircraft damage
- Minor
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- DFW06CA111
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
The inadvertent deployment of the spoilers during the aero tow takeoff for undetermined reasons, resulting in a hard landing.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The 630-hour glider commercial pilot reported that prior to departure from the 4,200-feet by 400-feet wide grass-turf gliderport, he followed his checklist items which included; checking and closing the spoilers, checking the seat belts and shoulder harnesses. During the aero tow takeoff, the pilot noticed the uncommanded opening of the spoilers and he elected to release from the aero tow. During the landing on the grass runway, the glider touched down hard. The glider received minor damage to its landing gear and the pilot was seriously injured. The reason for the uncommanded extension of the spoilers could not be determined.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Schempp-Hirth VENTUS accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Jul 2007 | Schempp-Hirth VENTUS-2C | Bridgeport, California, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 4 Aug 2007 | Schempp-Hirth VENTUS-2C | Greensboro, Vermont, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 26 Oct 2007 | Schempp-Hirth VENTUS B/16.6 | Salida, Colorado, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 10 Aug 2007 | Schempp-Hirth VENTUS-CM | Benton, California, United States | Geofrey R. Loyns | Fatal | 1 |
| 9 Aug 2008 | Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2A | Brackettville, Texas, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 23 Jul 2008 | Schempp-Hirth VENTUS A | Midlothian, Texas, United States | Richard Johnson | Fatal | 1 |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 Jun 2006 | Campbell W/Smiley J EXECYTIVE 162F | Porter, Texas, United States | Clint Alexander | Minor injuries | - |
| 19 Dec 2006 | Cessna T210N | Austin, Texas, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 21 Oct 2006 | Taylor ZODIAC 601 | San Antonio, Texas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 19 Jul 2006 | Cessna P210N | Amarillo, Texas, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 21 Oct 2006 | Piper PA-38-112 | Wimberley, Texas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 4 Mar 2006 | Cessna 182N | Georgetown, Texas, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |