ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 29450
This information is added by users of ASN. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information.
If you feel this information is incomplete or incorrect, you can submit corrected information.
| Date: | Sunday 15 June 2003 |
| Time: | 15:00 |
| Type: |  Schleicher ASW 20 |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | N34LB |
| MSN: | 20342 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Idyllwild, CA -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Hemet Ryan, CA (HMT) |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The glider impacted trees after a loss of thermal lift during gusty wind conditions. After the glider was released from the tow plane, the pilot made repeated attempts to ascend a mountain; however, insufficient thermals were found to accomplish the climb. On the third attempt, the airspeed suddenly went from 55 to 40 knots and the glider lost 100 to 200 feet. The pilot lowered the nose to prevent a stall. There was a dead tree to the left of the glider and the pilot executed a nose down, right turn downslope in order to maintain speed and regain terrain clearance. Shortly thereafter, the wings collided with trees and were sheared from the fuselage. The fuselage went through the two trees and came to rest inverted. The pilot stated that there were no control problems noted with the glider.
Probable Cause: The combined effects of a loss of thermal lift and a gust induced loss of airspeed at a low above ground altitude, which resulted in a descent to impact with trees. The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate terrain clearance margin while cruising in mountainous terrain was a factor.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB: https://www.ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/brief.aspx?ev_id=20030711X01072&key=1
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 27-Sep-2008 01:00 | ASN archive | Added |
| 28-Jun-2009 12:19 | DColclasure | Updated |
| 21-Dec-2016 19:16 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Damage, Category, Investigating agency] |
| 21-Dec-2016 19:20 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Damage, Category, Investigating agency] |
| 08-Dec-2017 18:49 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Nature, Departure airport, Source, Narrative] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2024 Flight Safety Foundation