Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On July 8, 2011, approximately 1700 mountain daylight time, a single-engine Pipistrel Taurus 503 glider, N261T, was substantially damaged during a hard landing near Durango, Colorado. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Gemtec Inc., under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight originated the Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO), Durango, Colorado, at an unknown time.

Witnesses observed the glider maneuvering at low altitude and heard the engine operating. The glider then landed hard on a golf course sidewalk.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The pilot, age 79, held a commercial pilot certificate for airplane single-engine land, airplane single-engine sea, airplane multi-engine land, glider, and instrument airplane. In addition, the pilot held a flight instructor certificate for gliders with the expiration date of February 29, 2012. A review of the pilot’s log book revealed that the pilot had an about 7,349 total hours with over 40.5 hours in make and model. On June 1, 2011, the pilot applied for a third class medical certificate but due to medical issues, the Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) deferred the certificate for further assessment. The pilot did not need a medical certificate to operate the glider.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The two-seat, retractable-gear, glider, serial number 051T503, was manufactured in 2009. A 50 horsepower Rotax 503 UL engine drove a two-bladed wooden Pipistrel propeller. In addition, the glider was equipped with a Galaxy Rescue System (GRS) 5/472.5 ballistic parachute. Review of the maintenance logbook showed an annual condition inspection was completed on May 16, 2011. On May 25, 2011, the glider was issued a special airworthiness certificate for experimental exhibition. A log book entry on June 3, 20011, recorded the completion of Phase I of the experimental operating limitations.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

At 1653, an automated weather reporting facility at DRO, located 21 nautical miles south of the accident site reported wind from 220 degrees at 17 knots gusting to 22 knots, visibility 10 miles, few clouds at 11,000 feet, temperature 90 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 36 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure of 30.06 inches of Mercury.

Evaluation of the weather near the location of the accident revealed a mid level front moved eastward across the accident site around the time of the accident. This front brought both gusty winds and the formation of convective clouds, rain showers, and thunderstorms. Upper air soundings recorded conditions favorable for strong downward gusts up to 40 knots with the possibility of microbursts near convective clouds and thunderstorms. Satellite imagery for the time of the accident showed the presence of a convective cloud near the site of the