Summary
On August 07, 1995, a Schempp-hirth VENTUS A (N307L) was involved in an accident near Rocksprings, TX. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: DEBONDING OF MYLAR TAPE THAT WAS USED TO SEAL A GAP ON THE ELEVATOR, WHICH RESULTED IN INADEQUATE ELEVATOR CONTROL AUTHORITY.
On August 7, 1995, at 1730 central daylight time, a Schempp-Hirth Ventus A, N307L, was substantially damaged following a loss of control near Rocksprings, Texas. The airline transport rated pilot received minor injuries. The glider was being operated as a personal flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated in Uvalde, Texas, at 1345. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the round robin flight.
During a telephone interview with the investigator-in-charge the pilot reported that when he attempted to accelerate to glide airspeed he experienced problems with elevator control. He had to apply full elevator before the glider would respond to control inputs. It also responded "very slowly" to the elevator control inputs.
This accident is documented in NTSB report FTW95LA335. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N307L.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
DEBONDING OF MYLAR TAPE THAT WAS USED TO SEAL A GAP ON THE ELEVATOR, WHICH RESULTED IN INADEQUATE ELEVATOR CONTROL AUTHORITY.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On August 7, 1995, at 1730 central daylight time, a Schempp-Hirth Ventus A, N307L, was substantially damaged following a loss of control near Rocksprings, Texas. The airline transport rated pilot received minor injuries. The glider was being operated as a personal flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated in Uvalde, Texas, at 1345. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the round robin flight.
During a telephone interview with the investigator-in-charge the pilot reported that when he attempted to accelerate to glide airspeed he experienced problems with elevator control. He had to apply full elevator before the glider would respond to control inputs. It also responded "very slowly" to the elevator control inputs. The pilot further reported he was going to land on a ranch road; however, because of the control problem he elected to bail out. The glider impacted the ground in a level attitude damaging the fuselage, horizontal stabilizer, and canopy.
Examination of the glider by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the Mylar tape, which was used as a gap seal for the elevator, had partially separated.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# FTW95LA335