MIDDLETOWN, NY, USA
N7XT
Schempp-Hirth VENTUS A
THE SAILPLANE WAS BEING TOWED INTO THE AIR. IT WAS OBSERVED TO COME OFF THE GROUND IN A TAIL LOW ATTITUDE AND THEN START PORPOSING. THE AIRCRAFT WAS RELEASED FROM THE TOW PLANE AND IMPACTED. THE PILOT WAS FATALLY INJURED AND THE AIRCRAFT DESTROYED. NO EVIDENCE OF A PRE-EXISTING FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS NOTED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS CARRYING BOTH WATER AND LEAD SHOT FOR BALLAST, HOWEVER THE BREAKUP OF THE AIRCRAFT ON IMPACT PREVENTED A DETERMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT WEIGHT AND BALANCE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PLTS FLT TIME WAS NOT REPORTED OR AVAILABLE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports