Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2CM accident near Paragonah, Utah, June 29, 2009
On June 29, 2009 at about 8:30 pm local time, a Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2CM (glider), registered N68MP, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (climb to cruise) near Paragonah, Utah (Parowan airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
Preview. This page is not yet listed for search engines.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The glider departed controlled flight for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 29, 2009 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Paragonah, Utah · Parowan · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2CM · all VENTUS 2CMs on the register
- Registration
- N68MP · registry record · serial 192
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was competing in a glider competition. He was going to depart using the glider’s engine; however, it would not start so the pilot was required to enter the departure line with the other gliders that were being towed. The initial takeoff was uneventful. The tow plane pilot reported that the glider released from the tow plane approximately 1,800 feet above ground level, which was 200 feet lower than the normal release altitude. A witness then reported that the nose of the glider pitched up and down until entering into a descent to ground impact. Data obtained from onboard recorders showed that the glider entered into a left spiral dive until impact with the ground. Examination of the wreckage revealed no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions that would have resulted in a loss of control. The pilot had a history of coronary artery disease with angioplasty and stent placement 3 months prior to the accident, and an intermittent abnormal heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation) noted at that time. He would have been at low risk for clot formation in the stent or for stroke or other incapacitation related to his atrial fibrillation, but the condition of his remains did not permit the evaluation of any potential abnormalities in the heart or brain. The pilot did not have a current FAA medical certificate, and none was required for the operations in which he was engaged.
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
- Loss of control in flight during enroute (climb to cruise) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 998 hours in all; 360 in this make and model
- Last flight review: July 22, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 34 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, June 5, 2009
- Maximum gross weight: 1,157 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Solo 2625-01 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 1L9 Parowan UT at 8:20 pm
- Destination: 1L9 Parowan UT
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 18°F (-8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.82 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from CDC, 20 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.
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number WPR09LA317.