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NTSB Report
July 13, 1983 · Rolladen-Schneider LS3-A · N56TM
Bishop, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 13, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Bishop, CA
Aircraft
Rolladen-Schneider LS3-A
Tail Number
N56TM
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX83FA333
THE GLIDER PLT WAS PARTICIPATING IN A SOARING CONTEST WHICH INVOLVED A QUADRANGLE COURSE. WHILE ENROUTE TO THE 1ST TURN POINT WITH 2 OTHER SAILPLANES, THE PLT WAS OBSERVED TO DEPART FROM THE GENERAL FLT PATH OF THE OTHER 2 GLIDERS & FLY ON THE LEEWARD SIDE OF A RIDGELINE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE GLIDER CRASHED BETWEEN 2 KNOLLS, ABOUT 51 FT WEST & 5 FT BELOW THE RIDGELINE, IN A SLIGHTLY NOSE UP & A NEAR WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE. NO PREIMPACT/PART MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS FOUND. BETWEEN 1150 & 1250 PDT, THE WIND AT BISHOP, CA SHIFTED FROM 030 TO 340 DEG. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ABOUT 6 MI NORTHEAST OF BISHOP.
Full Narrative
THE GLIDER PLT WAS PARTICIPATING IN A SOARING CONTEST WHICH INVOLVED A QUADRANGLE COURSE. WHILE ENROUTE TO THE 1ST TURN POINT WITH 2 OTHER SAILPLANES, THE PLT WAS OBSERVED TO DEPART FROM THE GENERAL FLT PATH OF THE OTHER 2 GLIDERS & FLY ON THE LEEWARD SIDE OF A RIDGELINE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE GLIDER CRASHED BETWEEN 2 KNOLLS, ABOUT 51 FT WEST & 5 FT BELOW THE RIDGELINE, IN A SLIGHTLY NOSE UP & A NEAR WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE. NO PREIMPACT/PART MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS FOUND. BETWEEN 1150 & 1250 PDT, THE WIND AT BISHOP, CA SHIFTED FROM 030 TO 340 DEG. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ABOUT 6 MI NORTHEAST OF BISHOP.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:15 PDT
Nearest Airport6nm NE
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftRolladen-Schneider LS3-A
Tail NumberN56TM
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsNone · NONE · Unknown
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 44 · Unknown
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind5 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:50
Weather SourceWFAC