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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

December 11, 1994 · Burkhart Grob G-103 · N3950A

Tehachapi, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 11, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Tehachapi, CA
Aircraft
Burkhart Grob G-103
Tail Number
N3950A
Operator
Skylark North
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX95LA050

THE PILOT SAID IN A POSTACCIDENT TELEPHONE INTERVIEW THAT HE WAS RIDGE SOARING ABOUT 100 FEET ABOVE THE TREES ALONG A SOUTHEAST/NORTHWESTERLY COURSE. THE PILOT SUCCESSFULLY EXECUTED ONE PASS OVER THE RIDGE LINE. ON THE SECOND PASS, THE FLIGHT ENCOUNTERED A SEVERE DOWNDRAFT. THE GLIDER'S AIRSPEED WAS INSUFFICIENT TO CLIMB OUT OF THE IMPENDING TREE LINE AND THE GLIDER'S RIGHT WING STRUCK A TREE. THE PILOT REGAINED CONTROL OF THE GLIDER AND LANDED AT THE AIRPORT WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's poor in-flight planning/decision and inadequate airspeed. The downdraft and trees were factors in this accident.

Full Narrative

On December 11, 1994, at 1400 hours Pacific standard time, a Grob G-103 glider, N3950A, collided with some trees near Tehachapi, California. The pilot was conducting a local visual flight rules instructional flight. The glider, operated by Skylark North, Tehachapi, California, sustained substantial damage. Neither the certificated commercial pilot/certified flight instructor (CFI) nor the certificated private/student glider pilot was injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Mountain Valley Airport, Tehachapi, California, at 1330 hours. The CFI reported this accident to the National Transportation Safety Board on December 12, 1994. He said the flight encountered a severe downdraft while maneuvering over a ridge on a southeast/northwest course about 100 feet above the ground. The glider's right wing struck some trees. The CFI landed the glider at Mountain Valley Airport without further incident. Examination of the glider revealed that the right wing sustained structural damage. The CFI submitted the required Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2. He repeated his telephone statement in the report. He said that the accident occurred on the second pass over the ridge line. The first pass was uneventful. When the glider encountered the downdraft, the airspeed was inadequate to climb successfully over the impending tree line. The CFI also said that the glider did not experience any mechanical malfunctions or failures.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 PST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBurkhart Grob G-103
Tail NumberN3950A
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSkylark North
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 13 kt
Visibility100 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data