Schempp-Hirth Nimbus 3/24.5 accident near Montague, California, June 24, 2001
On June 24, 2001, a Schempp-Hirth Nimbus 3/24.5 (glider), registered N4427M, was substantially damaged in an accident near Montague, California (Siskiyou County airport). It was an air show or air race flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of control during landing flare. Contributing to the accident was the gusty wind condition.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 24, 2001
- Place
- Montague, California · Siskiyou County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schempp-Hirth Nimbus 3/24.5 · all Nimbus 3/24.5s on the register
- Registration
- N4427M · registry record · serial 6
- 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 was competing in an open class national soaring contest, and strong surface wind conditions were present. Locally, the wind speed was at 20 knots, with gusts to 30 knots. At the conclusion of his flight, the pilot turned onto the final approach leg with extra airspeed. When the glider had descended between 5 and 10 feet above the ground, a wind gust lifted its right wing upward, and the left wing contacted the ground. The pilot lost control, and the glider cartwheeled and nosed over.
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: rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 521 hours in all; 133 in this make and model; 50 in the last 90 days; 37 in the last 30 days; 438 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 11, 2001
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 778 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 16, 2000; 25 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,653 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine:; 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SIY Montague CA
- Destination: SIY Montague CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 14,000 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
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.
Other NTSB records under N4427M the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.