Nimbus 4DT accident 31 July 2000 in Spain.

Yes, indeed. If anything, the spiral dive recovery is more critical from a
structural standpoint. A modern glider is more likely to progress to spiral
dive anyway. The pilot, by his own admission, did the wrong recovery for
either case.

However, since the Spanish report refers heavily to the Minden report, with
many similarities, I wonder if there is something peculiar about the Nimbus
4 DT. Both apparently departed into a stall and incipient spin in a strong
thermal. This pilot had sufficient recent flight experience, and total time,
to have developed good "survival" reflexes, including the "stick forward"
manuver. He had little time in the Nimbus 4, but quite enough in the Nimbus
3 to know how to fly it.

If it was purely the fault of very strong thermals, then the other gliders
in common use at places like Minden would also have similar accidents. This
does not seem to be the case.

Obviously, I have never flown a Nimbus of any kind. I have a few hours in
the Duo-Discus, but nothing larger. The Duo is certainly not malignant in
any way.

So my question is to those with Nimbus D experience. Is there some handling
characteristic that will bite a fairly experinced and competent, but
unsuspecting pilot?

I am thinking that the (biennial USA) Flight Review should include spiral
dive recovery routinely, in addition to the usual other "emergency"
maneuvers.
--
Hartley Falbaum
CFIG USA


"Stefan" wrote in message
...
W.J. (Bill) Dean (U.K.). wrote:

The Spanish report in English translation may be found at
http://www.gliding.co.uk/accidents/r...s4dtreport.pdf (3MB).

Thanks for the link. Very educational, indeed. I think this answers the
question whether spins and spiral dives should be demonstrated and
recovery should be regularly trained.

Stefan