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NTSB Report
May 1, 1983 · Schempp-Hirth Nimbus II · N21RB
California City, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 1, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
California City, CA
Aircraft
Schempp-Hirth Nimbus II
Tail Number
N21RB
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX83FA208
WITNESSES REPORTED THAT DURING TAKEOFF, THE GLIDER WAS BEING TOWED WHEN IT RELEASED AT APRX 300 FT AGL & ENTERED A LEFT TURN. THE TURN CONTINUED, THE BANK ANGLE INCREASED & THE GLIDER SUBSEQUENTLY HIT THE GROUND APRX 1 MILE SOUTHWEST OF THE ARPT. IMPACT OCCURRED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN, LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT A RIGHT TURN WAS THE STANDARD PROCEDURE AFTER A RELEASE FROM A TOW. NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OF THE GLIDER WAS FOUND, BUT ITS TOW HOOK WAS NOT LOCATED. THE TOW ROPE & TOW HOOK ON THE TOW PLANE WERE EXAMINED & NO DISCREPANCIES WERE NOTED. RESULTS OF MEDICAL & TOXICALOGICAL EXAMS WERE NEGATIVE.
Full Narrative
WITNESSES REPORTED THAT DURING TAKEOFF, THE GLIDER WAS BEING TOWED WHEN IT RELEASED AT APRX 300 FT AGL & ENTERED A LEFT TURN. THE TURN CONTINUED, THE BANK ANGLE INCREASED & THE GLIDER SUBSEQUENTLY HIT THE GROUND APRX 1 MILE SOUTHWEST OF THE ARPT. IMPACT OCCURRED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN, LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT A RIGHT TURN WAS THE STANDARD PROCEDURE AFTER A RELEASE FROM A TOW. NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OF THE GLIDER WAS FOUND, BUT ITS TOW HOOK WAS NOT LOCATED. THE TOW ROPE & TOW HOOK ON THE TOW PLANE WERE EXAMINED & NO DISCREPANCIES WERE NOTED. RESULTS OF MEDICAL & TOXICALOGICAL EXAMS WERE NEGATIVE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:27 PDT
Nearest AirportCalifornia City (1nm NNE)
Runway24
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftSchempp-Hirth Nimbus II
Tail NumberN21RB
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 38 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 12 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 34 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:55
Weather SourceWFAC