Introduction
On September 24, 2015, at approximately 1452 eastern daylight time, a Schempp-Hirth Ventus 2CT motorglider, registration N710JC, was substantially damaged when it impacted a wire and trees during an off-airport landing in Blacksburg, Virginia. The commercial pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight, which originated from Virginia Tech/Montgomery Executive Airport (BCB) in Blacksburg, Virginia. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Pilot Background
The pilot reported a total of 2,500 hours of flight experience, with 255 hours in the same make and model as the accident motorglider. He held a commercial pilot certificate for airplane single-engine land and an instrument rating. His most recent flight review was on May 2, 2015. He did not possess a medical certificate, nor was he required to when operating a glider.
Event Sequence
According to the pilot, he was participating in an annual soaring competition. He departed BCB about 1215 with a tow to an altitude of 2,500 feet, then released from the tow plane. He subsequently performed a routine test run of the 20-horsepower engine and observed no anomalies. He then shut down and stowed the engine before beginning the first leg of the competition. About 20 miles from BCB, he had difficulty finding thermals for lift. The glider began losing altitude, and he prepared for an off-airport landing. He deployed the retractable engine; however, as he attempted to start it, the engine "sputtered" and would not run. In a post-accident statement, the pilot postulated that he held the decompression valve open long enough for the engine to build rpm, but was not sure due to the circumstances of being low and preparing for an off-airport landing. He set up for landing in a field but did not see the power lines bordering the approach end of the field, and contacted the wires before impacting the ground.
Witness Statement
A witness reported hearing the motorglider fly over and stated that "the engine was loud and seemed to be struggling or missing. It did not sound normal."
Wreckage Examination
Examination of the wreckage at the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the motorglider struck a wire and trees and impacted the ground in a nose-down attitude. The forward fuselage was crushed, and the right wing was fractured and separated about one-third of the span from the wing tip. The fuel shut-off valve and fuel pump switch were found in the off position.
Weather Conditions
The recorded weather observation at BCB, located about 7 nautical miles southwest of the accident site, at 1455 included wind from 100 degrees at 8 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear skies, temperature 23°C, dew point 12°C, and a barometric altimeter setting of 30.28 inches of mercury.