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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

October 29, 2005 · Dirks Glaser DG-300 · N30AS

California City, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 29, 2005
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
California City, CA
Aircraft
Dirks Glaser DG-300
Tail Number
N30AS
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX06CA021

The pilot intentionally ground looped the glider and struck a berm after overshooting the desired touchdown point on the landing runway. The pilot was performing a high parasite drag maneuver on landing. On approach he realized that he would overshoot the first half of the runway and chose to land on the second half. The pilot reached for the spoiler handle, but by mistake pulled the gear handle instead and inadvertently retracted the gear. The glider touched down on the runway at approximately 70 knots. The pilot feared he would strike a berm at the end of the runway head on and intentionally ground looped the glider, striking the berm at a 90-degree angle to the left. The glider was destroyed, and the pilot received minor injuries.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadvertent retraction of the gear and failure to deploy the spoilers, and his subsequent failure to attain a proper touchdown point.

Full Narrative

On October 29, 2005, about 1520 Pacific standard time, a Glaser Dirks DG-300, N30AS, ground looped and collided with terrain in California City, California. The private pilot was operating the glider under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries; the glider was destroyed. The local flight departed California City Airport about 1410. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The approximate global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of the primary wreckage were 35 degrees 09 minutes north latitude and 118 degrees 00 minutes west longitude. In a written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilot stated that he intentionally ground looped the glider after attempting to land on the runway. The pilot was performing a high parasite drag maneuver on landing. On approach, he realized that he would overshoot the first half of the runway and chose to land on the second half. The pilot reached for the spoiler handle, but pulled the gear handle inadvertently retracting the gear. The glider touched down on the runway at approximately 70 knots. The pilot feared that he would strike a berm at the end of the runway head on, and intentionally ground looped the glider, striking the berm at a 90-degree angle to the left. The glider was destroyed, and the pilot received minor injuries. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions prior to the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:20 PDT
Nearest AirportCalifornia City Municipal (0nm)
Runway6
Runway Length6000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDirks Glaser DG-300
Tail NumberN30AS
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 53 · None · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 8 kt
Visibility9 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point16 C / 11 C
Altimeter30.10 inHg
Observation Time21:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data