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NTSB Report

May 3, 1994 · Schweizer SGS 1-34 · N1163S

Hemet, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 3, 1994
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Hemet, CA
Aircraft
Schweizer SGS 1-34
Tail Number
N1163S
Operator
Sailplane Enterprises
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX94LA210

A ground witness observed the aircraft enter the traffic pattern for runway 22 at a slow rate of speed. The glider continued to slow down as it made a skidding flat turn from downwind to base. During the base to final turn, the witness saw the aircraft enter a two-turn spin and impact the ground nose first. An FAA airworthiness inspector responded to the accident site and reported that he did not find any mechanical discrepancies. The pilot was issued his private certificate with a glider rating on March 12, 1994.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering in the traffic pattern, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. A factor in the accident was the pilot's low total flight time.

Full Narrative

On May 3, 1994, at 1520 Pacific daylight time, a Schweizer SGS 1- 34 glider, N1163S, collided with the ground following a loss of control in the traffic pattern at the Hemet, California, airport. The glider was owned and operated by Sailplane Enterprises of Hemet and was rented by the pilot for a local area personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The glider was destroyed in the ground collision sequence. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. The flight originated from the Hemet airport on the day of the accident about 1430 hours. A ground witness reported observing the aircraft enter the traffic pattern for runway 22 at a slow rate of speed. The glider was observed continuing to slow down as it made a skidding flat turn from down ind to base. During the base to final turn, the witness saw the aircraft enter a two-turn spin and impact the ground nose first. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector from the Riverside, California, Flight Standards District Office responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. The inspector reported that he did not find any mechanical discrepancies. The pilot was issued his private certificate with a glider rating on March 12, 1994.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:20 PDT
Nearest AirportHemet-Ryan (0nm)
Runway22
Runway Length2300 ft
Runway Width30 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchweizer SGS 1-34
Tail NumberN1163S
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorSailplane Enterprises
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 64 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data