ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 358984
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| Date: | Saturday 20 May 1995 |
| Time: | 15:30 LT |
| Type: | Bölkow PHOEBUS C |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | N1379 |
| MSN: | 843 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Helendale, CA -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Landing |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Llano, CA (L01) |
| Las Vegas, NV | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
DURING A LONG CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE REQUIRED LIFT TO SUSTAIN FLIGHT WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE PILOT SELECTED A SUITABLE OFF-AIRPORT FIELD TO LAND. HIS GROUND CREW REPORTED WINDS FROM THE SOUTH AT 5 KNOTS AND UPSLOPING TERRAIN TOWARD THE NORTH. THE PILOT CHOSE TO LAND DOWNWIND IN AN UPHILL DIRECTION. THE WINDS WERE STRONGER THAN THE GROUND CREW INDICATED AND THE GLIDER LANDED LONG. THE PILOT SAID BRAKING ACTION WAS POOR DUE TO THE LOOSE SAND ON A HARD SOIL BASE. BEFORE THE PILOT COULD STOP THE GLIDER, IT SLID INTO A DRY WASH AND COLLIDED WITH A DIRT WALL. THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER THE ACCIDENT HE OBSERVED THE WINDS FROM 180 DEGREES AT 10 KNOTS WITH HIGHER GUSTS TO 13 KNOTS. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS.
Probable Cause: the pilot's selection of a downwind landing and his failure to attain the proper touchdown point. Factors in the accident were the inaccurate wind information provided by his ground crew which led the pilot to select the improper landing direction, and, the loose sandy nature of the landing site which inhibited the effectiveness of the glider brakes.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB LAX95LA197
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 14-Mar-2024 20:22 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
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