Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2CM accident near Warren, Vermont, June 19, 2000
On June 19, 2000 at about 8:30 pm local time, a Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2CM (glider), registered N800PF, was substantially damaged in an accident near Warren, Vermont (Warren-Sugarbush Airport). It was a personal 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
The pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions. A factor in the accident was the cross wind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 19, 2000 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Warren, Vermont · Warren-Sugarbush Airport
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2CM · all VENTUS 2CMs on the register
- Registration
- N800PF · no longer on the register · serial 75
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While participating in a glider race without motorized power, the pilot received a radio call from the airport that the winds had changed direction and landings were being conducted on Runway 22. While turning base to final for the runway, the pilot was unable to stop the turn with full opposite aileron due to turbulence. As the motorglider descended, the pilot was able to level the wings, but was 90 degrees to the runway and 'into the trees.' The pilot raised the nose of the glider to decrease airspeed, and the motorglider stalled, impacting trees short of the runway. The winds reported by an airport located about 13 miles east of the accident were from 350 degrees at 7 knots.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; multi-engine sea; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 5,000 hours in all; 49 in this make and model; 5,000 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 40 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,157 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Solo (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 0B7 at 4:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 22, 2,575 ft by 30 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:51 pm from MPV, 13 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.