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NTSB Report
February 20, 1986 · Whigham GW4A · N24GW
Hemet, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 20, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Hemet, CA
Aircraft
Whigham GW4A
Tail Number
N24GW
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX86LUG02
DURING A TOW OPERATION, THE PLT OF THE TOW PLANE STATED THAT JUST AFTER TAKEOFF THE GLIDER ASSUMED A VERY LOW TOW POSITION, THEN SWUNG VERY HIGH TO THE RIGHT THEN TO THE LEFT. AT APRX 250 FT AGL THE GLIDER PLT RELEASED FROM THE TOW PLANE AND EXECUTED A 180 DEG TURN BACK TO THE ARPT. THE TOW PLANE PLT TURNED TO ESCORT THE GLIDER WHEN AT AN ALT OF 150 FT AGL THE GLIDER ENTERED AN 80 TO 90 DEG NOSEDOWN TURN WHICH WAS HELD TO IMPACT. A MEDICAL EXAMINATION OF THE PLT REVEALED THAT HE HAD A HISTORY OF HEART CONDITION AND AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT EXPERIENCED AN ARRHYTHMIA ASSOCIATED WITH THE MOST RECENT MYOCARDIAL INFRACTION. THE PLTS RECORD OF FLT TIME WAS NOT AVAILABLE OR REPORTED.
Full Narrative
DURING A TOW OPERATION, THE PLT OF THE TOW PLANE STATED THAT JUST AFTER TAKEOFF THE GLIDER ASSUMED A VERY LOW TOW POSITION, THEN SWUNG VERY HIGH TO THE RIGHT THEN TO THE LEFT. AT APRX 250 FT AGL THE GLIDER PLT RELEASED FROM THE TOW PLANE AND EXECUTED A 180 DEG TURN BACK TO THE ARPT. THE TOW PLANE PLT TURNED TO ESCORT THE GLIDER WHEN AT AN ALT OF 150 FT AGL THE GLIDER ENTERED AN 80 TO 90 DEG NOSEDOWN TURN WHICH WAS HELD TO IMPACT. A MEDICAL EXAMINATION OF THE PLT REVEALED THAT HE HAD A HISTORY OF HEART CONDITION AND AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT EXPERIENCED AN ARRHYTHMIA ASSOCIATED WITH THE MOST RECENT MYOCARDIAL INFRACTION. THE PLTS RECORD OF FLT TIME WAS NOT AVAILABLE OR REPORTED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 PST
Nearest AirportHemet-Ryan (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftWhigham GW4A
Tail NumberN24GW
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 65 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT