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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

July 13, 1998 · Schempp-Hirth Discus A · N95KM

Bridgeport, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 13, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Bridgeport, CA
Aircraft
Schempp-Hirth Discus A
Tail Number
N95KM
Operator
Soar Minden
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX98LA234

The pilot was flying low in a canyon with no thermal activity and attempted to gain lift by flying close to a ridge. The glider impacted a tree and the wings were torn off. The elevation at the accident site was approximately 7,700 feet msl. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction with the aircraft prior to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain clearance with the trees while maneuvering to locate a thermal lift.

Full Narrative

On July 13, 1998, at 1600 hours Pacific daylight time, a Schemp-Hirth Discus A glider, N95KM, lost lift and impacted terrain approximately 10 miles northeast of Bridgeport, California. The aircraft was destroyed, and the private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The personal flight originated at the Minden, Nevada, airport at 1356, and was en route to the Lone Pine, California, airport. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that she was flying low in a canyon with no thermal activity. She attempted to gain lift by flying close to the ridge. The glider impacted a tree and the wings were torn off. The pilot reported that the glider then spun into the canyon wall and impacted the terrain. The elevation at the accident site was approximately 7,700 feet msl. The pilot reported that she had not experienced any mechanical malfunction with the aircraft prior to the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchempp-Hirth Discus A
Tail NumberN95KM
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorSoar Minden
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 29 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 8 kt, gusting 14 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point37 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time05:47
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data