Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2C accident near Hobbs, New Mexico, June 23, 2015
On June 23, 2015 at about 11:30 pm local time, a 1996 Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2C (glider), registered N172VC, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Hobbs, New Mexico (Industrial Airpark airport). It was an air show or air race 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 compensation for gusty wind conditions which resulted in impact with terrain short of the runway.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 23, 2015 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Hobbs, New Mexico · Industrial Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2C NO SERIES, built 1996 · all VENTUS 2Cs on the register
- Registration
- N172VC · no longer on the register · serial 17
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Air show or air race flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was landing on the runway 12 ramp area and entered the downwind leg of the airport traffic pattern at 1000 feet above the ground. The pilot reported that downdrafts caused the glider's rapid loss of altitude and was unable to reach the landing area. The pilot landed in a field northwest of the airport where the glider impacted a mesquite bush with the left wing and ground looped. The glider sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, canopy, and left wing. Runway 12 is 8,810 feet long by 150 feet wide. The ramp area that parallels the runway to the north side is 7500 feet long by 350 feet wide. A weather reporting station five miles south of the accident site reported wind from 140 degrees at17 knots and gusting to 24 knots prior to the accident. A review of local weather data showed there were no strong lifting mechanisms for the formation of clouds or precipitation near the surface at the time of the accident and the pilot likely encountered gusty surface wind while descending to the airport. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Other weather encounter during landing
- Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent rate › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Contributed to outcome
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Rough terrain › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 960 hours in all; 36 in the last 90 days; 13 in the last 30 days; 944 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 17, 2014
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,534 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 25, 2015
- Maximum gross weight: 1,157 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
The flight
- Departed from: NM83 Hobbs NM at 7:01 pm
- Destination: NM83 Hobbs NM
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 12, 8,810 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 17 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observation at 10:50 pm from KHOB, 4 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.