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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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September 21, 2002 · Pzl-Bielsko SZD-42-2 Jantar · N131AS

Hemet, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 21, 2002
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Hemet, CA
Aircraft
Pzl-Bielsko SZD-42-2 Jantar
Tail Number
N131AS
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX02LA291

The glider collided with terrain under unknown circumstances. A witness reported that he and the accident pilot were in separate gliders climbing over the mountains. The accident pilot was about 1,000 feet lower than the witness. Moments later, the witness saw the accident pilot on the side of the mountain with the glider facing downward. Although both gliders were equipped with radios, no radio communications took place. Investigators established control continuity and found no preimpact anomalies.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate terrain clearance altitude.

Full Narrative

On September 21, 2002, about 1330 Pacific daylight time, an experimental PZL-Bielsko SZD-42-2 Jantar glider, N131AS, collided with mountainous terrain near Hemet, California. The private pilot/owner was operating the glider under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot, the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries; the glider sustained substantial damage. The personal local flight departed Hemet-Ryan Airport (HMT) about 1140. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. A National Transportation Safety Board investigator interviewed a glider pilot who witnessed the accident. He reported that he and the accident pilot were in separate gliders climbing over the mountains. The accident pilot was about 1,000 feet lower than the witness. Moments later, the witness saw the accident pilot on the side of the mountain with the glider facing downward. He waved to the accident pilot and the accident pilot waved back. Although both gliders were equipped with radios, no radio communications took place. When rescuers arrived at the accident site at 1428, the pilot was found dead and still in the cockpit. The day after the accident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector responded to the accident scene. He established control continuity and found no preimpact anomalies. The airframe was intact, and the inboard portion of the right wing partially separated from the fuselage at the root. An autopsy was conducted on the pilot by the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner on September 23, 2002, with specimens retained for toxicological analysis. The results of the toxicological tests were negative for alcohol and all screened drug substances.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPzl-Bielsko SZD-42-2 Jantar
Tail NumberN131AS
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 59 · Second Class · Fatal

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 7 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 C
Altimeter29.90 inHg
Observation Time20:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data