Schempp-Hirth VENTUS CM accident near Taos, New Mexico, June 15, 1998
On June 15, 1998 at about 1:30 am local time, a Schempp-Hirth VENTUS CM (glider), registered N94DP, was substantially damaged in an accident near Taos, New Mexico (Taos Municipal airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper flare. Contributing to the accident was the sudden wind shift which rendered the aircraft uncontrollable when the aircraft was on final approach to land.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 15, 1998 · about 1:30 am local time
- Place
- Taos, New Mexico · Taos Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schempp-Hirth VENTUS CM
- Registration
- N94DP · no longer on the register · serial 4
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During final approach for landing the 27 horsepower motor glider was subjected to winds which increased from 10 knots to 24 knots with gusts to 37 knots. The landing was hard, causing damage to the wings and bottom of the fuselage.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 926 hours in all; 281 in this make and model; 842 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 844 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 15, 1998; 58 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 984 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Solo 2350B/2004 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SKX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 4, 5,800 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 24 knots, gusting 37
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 10,000 ft; clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 18°F (-8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 1:55 am from SKX, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.