Rolladen-Schneider LS3-A N34AZ
31 July 1990 · Sparks, Nevada, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 31 July 1990 at about 19:00 local time, a Rolladen-Schneider LS3-A registered N34AZ was involved in an accident near Sparks, Nevada, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 19:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Sparks, Nevada, United States
- Coordinates
- 39.5407, -119.7492
- Aircraft
- Rolladen-Schneider LS3-A
- Registration
- N34AZ
- Category
- Glider
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX90LA264
People
1 person had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE INABILITY OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE GLIDER AS A RESULT OF INJURIES SUSTAINED DURING AN INFLIGHT ENCOUNTER WITH TURBULENCE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS TURBULENT WEATHER CONDITION ENCOUNTERED.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
A GLIDER COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN AFTER AN INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL. THE PILOT BAILED OUT OF THE GLIDER BEFORE IMPACT WITH THE GROUND. THE PILOT INDICATED THE GLIDER ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE. DURING THE ENCOUNTER, THE PILOT'S HEAD STRUCK THE GLIDER CANOPY AND THE PILOT'S RIGHT ARM WAS INJURED. THE PILOT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE PITCH OF THE GLIDER AND ELECTED TO BAIL OUT. THE PILOT HAD DIFFICULTY EXITING THE GLIDER DUE TO INJURIES. THE INJURY TO THE RIGHT ARM HAMPERED THE PILOT IN RELEASING THE GLIDER CANOPY, RELEASING HER SEAT BELT, AND PULLING THE PARACHUTE 'D-RING.' AFTER RELEASING THE CANOPY AND UNFASTENING THE SEAT BELT WITH THE AID OF HER LEFT HAND, THE PILOT DEPLOYED HER PARACHUTE WHILE STILL SEATED. THE PILOT LEANED FORWARD IN THE COCKPIT AND THE PILOT CHUTE DEPLOYED. AS THE MAIN CHUTE INFLATED, THE PILOT WAS PULLED FROM THE GLIDER. THE PILOT PARACHUTED SAFELY TO THE GROUND.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Rolladen-Schneider LS3 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Jun 1985 | Rolladen-Schneider LS3-A | Callahan, California, United States | Larry Ferguson | Fatal | 1 |
| 29 Apr 1984 | Rolladen-Schneider LS3 | Warner Springs, California, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 29 Sep 1984 | Rolladen-Schneider LS3 | Brigham City, Utah, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 13 Jul 1983 | Rolladen-Schneider LS3-A | Bishop, California, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 5 Jul 2001 | Rolladen-Schneider LS3-A | Front Royal, Virginia, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 Jan 1990 | Cessna 172A | Reno, Nevada, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 2 Mar 1990 | Cessna 150 | Valmy, Nevada, United States | Arthur H. MC Ewen | Serious injuries | - |
| 26 Nov 1990 | Cessna 172 | Tonopah, Nevada, United States | Double Eagle Aviation Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 23 Mar 1990 | Piper PA18-160 | Reno, Nevada, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 17 Dec 1990 | Cessna 172L | McDermitt, Nevada, United States | Benjaman, James A. | No injuries | - |
| 20 Apr 1990 | Cessna 172N | Minden, Nevada, United States | Mercury Air Center | Minor injuries | - |