Valentin Taifun 17E accident near Waterbury, Connecticut, June 17, 2005
On June 17, 2005 at about 1:25 pm local time, a Valentin Taifun 17E (glider), registered N13BH, was substantially damaged in an accident near Waterbury, Connecticut (Waterbury 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 pilots inadvertent encounter with a downdraft, which resulted in the airplane impacting trees.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 17, 2005 · about 1:25 pm local time
- Place
- Waterbury, Connecticut · Waterbury Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Valentin Taifun 17E
- Registration
- N13BH · no longer on the register · serial 1054
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the takeoff climb, when the airplane reached an altitude of 35 feet, it encountered a downdraft caused by trees on the west side of the runway. The airplane seemed to "sag," was unable to continue its climb, and impacted the tree line. The pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane. Witnesses also reported that the takeoff and initial climb appeared normal; however, at about 30 feet the airplane did not continue to accelerate or climb prior to impacting the trees.
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: rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 441 hours in all; 6 in this make and model; 2 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 390 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 655 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 1, 2004; 25 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,804 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Limbach L2000 EB (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: N41 Waterbury CT
- Destination: N41 Waterbury CT
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35, 2,005 ft by 35 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 1,600 ft
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.69 inHg
- Observation at 1:15 pm from OXC, 11 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.