Schempp-Hirth CIRRUS-B accident near Peoria, Arizona, August 10, 1995
On August 10, 1995 at about 9:00 pm local time, a Schempp-Hirth CIRRUS-B (glider), registered N462E, was substantially damaged in an accident near Peoria, Arizona. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's improper inflight decision to attempt a tail wind landing to a short runway.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 10, 1995 · about 9:00 pm local time
- Place
- Peoria, Arizona · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schempp-Hirth CIRRUS-B
- Registration
- N462E · no longer on the register · serial 216
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
AFTER TAKEOFF AND REACHING 3,000 FEET, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF THERMAL LIFT AND DECIDED TO MAKE A LANDING TO A 1,500-FOOT EMERGENCY AIRSTRIP. HE ELECTED TO LAND UPHILL TO THE NORTH WITH A 10 KNOT TAIL WIND, GUSTING TO 20 KNOTS. WHILE ON SHORT FINAL, HE ENCOUNTERED A THERMAL LIFT AND REALIZED HE WOULD LAND TOO LONG AND HE EXECUTED AN 'S' MANEUVER TO LOSE ALTITUDE. DURING THE TURN, THE RIGHT WING COLLIDED WITH GROUND. HE REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE GLIDER.
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: instructor: glider
- Flight time: 192 hours in all; 62 in this make and model; 40 in the last 90 days; 26 in the last 30 days; 184 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,549 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 2, 1995; 79 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 860 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: AZ05 at 8:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 1,500 ft by 70 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 109°F (43°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 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.
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.