Hoffmann HK36R SUPER DIMONA accident near Winsted, Minnesota, September 5, 2011
On September 5, 2011 at about 8:14 pm local time, a Hoffmann HK36R SUPER DIMONA (glider), registered N63RK, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Winsted, Minnesota. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot did not maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 5, 2011 · about 8:14 pm local time
- Place
- Winsted, Minnesota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hoffmann HK36R SUPER DIMONA
- Registration
- N63RK · no longer on the register · serial 36372
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While on a visual approach to the runway, the pilot elected to perform a 360-degree turn at low altitude under idle engine power to allow for spacing between his airplane and an airplane near the runway. The passenger reported that, after completing the 360-turn, the pilot said something like "oh, oh," and then the pilot pitched the airplane's nose down, consistent with a recovery maneuver from an aerodynamic stall. The airplane impacted terrain short of the runway, and the passenger could not recall if the pilot applied engine power prior to the impact. The airplane's structure remained fairly intact, consistent with a low angle of impact. There was no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering defining event
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during maneuvering
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Lack of action › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 3,142 hours in all; 650 in this make and model
- Last flight review: April 16, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 1, 2011
- Maximum gross weight: 1,698 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FCM Minneapolis MN
- Destination: Winsted MN
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 5,500 ft
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observation at 8:14 pm from GYL, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.