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NTSB Report
April 15, 1982 · Schleicher ASW-20 · N6KS
Tulare, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 15, 1982
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
Tulare, CA
Aircraft
Schleicher ASW-20
Tail Number
N6KS
Operator
Rick S Glass Tech
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX82FA136
THE GLIDER PILOT ENTERED A THERMAL WITH THREE OTHER SAILPLANES AND BEGAN TO CLIMB. TWO OF THE SAILPLANES WERE ABOUT 1000 FT BELOW HIM AND THE OTHER PLANE WAS ABOUT 500 FT ABOVE. AS THE PILOT WAS CLIMBING TO ABOUT 4000 FT MSL, HE LOST SIGHT TO THE SAILPLANE ABOVE HIM AND ELECTED TO LEAVE THE THERMAL. AS HE WAS PREPARING TO LEAVE, HE SAW THE OTHER PLANE ON A COLLISION COURSE. HE TOOK EVASIVE ACTION, BUT WAS TOO LATE. THE RIGHT WING OF HIS PLANE STRUCK THE LEFT WING OF N6KS. ABOUT 10 FT OF THE RIGHT WING SEPARATED AND THE PLANE WENT OUT OF CONTROL. THE PILOT BAILED OUT SUCCESSFULLY AND THE GLIDER CAME TO REST UPRIGHT IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE PILOT OF THE OTHER GLIDER MANAGED TO BAIL OUT, BUT HIS PARACHUTE DID NOT OPEN.
Full Narrative
THE GLIDER PILOT ENTERED A THERMAL WITH THREE OTHER SAILPLANES AND BEGAN TO CLIMB. TWO OF THE SAILPLANES WERE ABOUT 1000 FT BELOW HIM AND THE OTHER PLANE WAS ABOUT 500 FT ABOVE. AS THE PILOT WAS CLIMBING TO ABOUT 4000 FT MSL, HE LOST SIGHT TO THE SAILPLANE ABOVE HIM AND ELECTED TO LEAVE THE THERMAL. AS HE WAS PREPARING TO LEAVE, HE SAW THE OTHER PLANE ON A COLLISION COURSE. HE TOOK EVASIVE ACTION, BUT WAS TOO LATE. THE RIGHT WING OF HIS PLANE STRUCK THE LEFT WING OF N6KS. ABOUT 10 FT OF THE RIGHT WING SEPARATED AND THE PLANE WENT OUT OF CONTROL. THE PILOT BAILED OUT SUCCESSFULLY AND THE GLIDER CAME TO REST UPRIGHT IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE PILOT OF THE OTHER GLIDER MANAGED TO BAIL OUT, BUT HIS PARACHUTE DID NOT OPEN.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 PST
Nearest AirportTulare Municipal (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftSchleicher ASW-20
Tail NumberN6KS
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRick S Glass Tech
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown | Unknown
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 25 · Second Class
Crew 2Age 58 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0