Schleicher ASW-20 N34LB
15 June 2003 · Idyllwild, California, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 15 June 2003 at about 22:00 local time, a Schleicher ASW-20 registered N34LB was involved in an accident near Idyllwild, California, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 22:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Idyllwild, California, United States
- Coordinates
- 33.7333, -116.7333
- Aircraft
- Schleicher ASW-20
- Registration
- N34LB
- Category
- Glider
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Hemet Ryan → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX03CA201
People
1 person had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
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.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
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.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Schleicher ASW-20 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Mar 2003 | Schleicher ASW-20 | San Diego, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 28 Mar 2004 | Schleicher ASW-20 | Yoder, Kansas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 8 May 2004 | Schleicher ASW-20 | Reno, Nevada, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 3 Jul 2005 | Schleicher ASW-20 | Big Pine, California, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 16 Jun 2001 | Schleicher ASW-20 | HIghland, Illinois, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 14 Apr 2001 | Schleicher ASW-20 | Williams, California, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 Jan 2003 | Cessna 414 | Palm Springs, California, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 15 Nov 2003 | Omf OMF-100-160 | Van Nuys, California, United States | Alliance International | Serious injuries | - |
| 16 Jan 2003 | Cessna 152 | Salinas, California, United States | Squadron 2 | No injuries | - |
| 17 Nov 2003 | Beechcraft A36TC | Visalia, California, United States | John Rodgers | Minor injuries | - |
| 22 Sep 2003 | Cessna 150F | Reedley, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 27 Sep 2003 | McClanahan STITS PLAYMATE SA-11 | Fontana, California, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |