Loss of Control in Flight · NTSB WPR09LA222
VALENTIN TAIFUN 17 E II — Mammoth Lakes, CA
| Date | April 24, 2009 |
| Location | Mammoth Lakes, CA |
| Aircraft | VALENTIN TAIFUN 17 E II |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Unknown Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) |
| Pilot age | 67 |
| Pilot total time | 966 hrs · Building experience |
| Time in type | 64 hrs |
| Fatalities | 2 |
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering in a canyon.
NTSB findings
- Not determined-Not determined-(general)-(general)-Unknown/Not determined - C
- Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Tree(s)-Contributed to outcome
- Environmental issues-Physical environment-Terrain-Mountainous/hilly terrain-Contributed to outcome
- Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Ceiling/visibility/precip-Low ceiling-Not specified
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Altitude-Not attained/maintained - C
What happened
The motor-glider wreckage was located in mountainous terrain at an elevation of about 8,000-feet. The wreckage debris path was dispersed throughout trees and extended for 325 feet in a shallow canyon. The nearest weather reporting station, located about 10 miles from the accident site, indicated that around the time of departure, there was a cloud ceiling at 4,200 feet with calm wind. The ceiling observation was lowered to 3,300 feet about 2 hours later, with the wind gusting from 10 to 24 knots. Postaccident inspection of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The circumstances leading up to the accident could not be determined.