N94DP

On June 14, 1998, at 1930 mountain daylight time, a Schempp-Hirth, 27 horsepower motorized, Ventus CM glider, N94DP, sustained substantial damage during landing at Taos Municipal Airport, Taos, New Mexico. The commercial pilot and sole occupant was not injured. The flight was being operated under Title 14 CFR part 91 and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this personal flight which departed Taos at 1415.

According to the facility that is repairing the aircraft, both wings and the bottom side of the fuselage sustained substantial damage due to a hard landing. The occurrence was not classified as an accident until this assessment was completed on June 25, 1998.

According to the pilot, he returned to land at 1930 and the wind shifted while he was on final approach. The pilot said the wind also increased in velocity and as a result the touchdown was hard and he cut is head on the instrument panel.

Recorded wind during the time period of the accident was from 360 degrees magnetic heading at 24 knots with gusts to 37 knots. The landing was being conducted on runway 04.

According to the pilot of a Beach Baron, who landed just before the accident occurred, the winds were out of the north at less than 10 knots during his landing.