Schempp-Hirth NIMBUS-4M N747JN
4 May 2008 · Ephrata, Washington, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 4 May 2008 at about 21:22 local time, a Schempp-Hirth NIMBUS-4M registered N747JN was involved in an accident near Ephrata, Washington, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 21:22
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Ephrata, Washington, United States
- Nearest airport
- Ephrata Municipal Airport (KEPH)
- Coordinates
- 47.3081, -119.5167
- Aircraft
- Schempp-Hirth NIMBUS-4M
- Registration
- N747JN
- Category
- Glider
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Ephrata → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- SEA08CA122
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and his failure to connect the left aileron control rod during assembly.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
This was the first flight after removal of the glider from storage and its reassembly. The pilot reported that during takeoff initial climb, the glider started to roll to the left despite his control inputs. He decided to abort the takeoff and land straight ahead while attempting to maintain control of the powered glider. Subsequently, the left wing struck the ground, and the glider began to cartwheel. Examination of the airframe revealed that the left and right wings were structurally damaged and the empennage was partially separated. Examination of the flight control system revealed that the left aileron connecting rod was disconnected at the fuselage/wing quick connection point and was undamaged. The pilot stated that during assembly of the glider prior to the flight, the left aileron control tube was inadvertently not attached, and that he did not verify that all flight controls moved free and correct prior to takeoff.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Schempp-Hirth NIMBUS accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Jun 2007 | Schempp-Hirth NIMBUS-3DM | Minden, Nevada, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 13 Jul 2012 | Schempp Hirth NIMBUS II | Redmond, Oregon, United States | John R Bentley | No injuries | - |
| 6 Jun 2014 | Schempp-Hirth NIMBUS 3/24.5 | Wallis, Texas, United States | Coggins David L | Minor injuries | - |
| 24 May 2001 | Schempp-Hirth NIMBUS-3DM | Alamogordo, New Mexico, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 24 Jun 2001 | Schempp-Hirth NIMBUS 3/24.5 | Montague, California, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 13 Jul 1999 | Schempp-Hirth NIMBUS 4DM | Minden, Nevada, United States | William S. Ivans | Fatal | 2 |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Jun 2008 | Cessna T182T | Point Roberts, Washington, United States | David A. Smith | No injuries | - |
| 9 May 2008 | Thorp T-18 | Kent, Washington, United States | Roger Thompson | Fatal | 1 |
| 8 Jul 2008 | Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR | Arlington, Washington, United States | Northwest Aviation Center | No injuries | - |
| 10 Oct 2008 | Bell 206B | Cougar, Washington, United States | Northwest Helicopters | Serious injuries | - |
| 27 Jul 2008 | Cessna 172N | McMurray, Washington, United States | Brenda Lee Houston | Fatal | 3 |
| 13 Jan 2008 | Piper PA-12 | Centerville, Washington, United States | Dwayne A. Hansen | Minor injuries | - |