# NTSB DEN02LA067: Schreder RS-15, N33515, Jackson, WY, July 1, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 1, 2002, 16:50 local (22:50 UTC) - Place: Jackson, WY - Coordinates: 43.733333, -110.803337 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7333&lon=-110.8033&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report January 16, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 55116 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN02LA067 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55116/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55116 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN02LA067 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the mountain summit. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - high wind - weather condition - gusts ## Analysis The glider was observed circling the summit block of Grand Teton Mountain. A witness reported seeing the glider proceed southeast to northwest. The glider's left wing contacted the mountain approximately 150 feet below the summit. The witness reported seeing the wing crumple and then hearing a loud noise. The glider then disappeared behind the north side of the mountain. The wreckage was located the following morning. The glider wreckage was spread down the north face of Grand Teton Mountain beginning approximately 200 feet below the summit and extending down the mountain approximately 1,500 feet. A wing was identified as resting approximately 700 feet below the summit in the wreckage path. The reported weather in the area, about the time of the accident, was clear skies, visibility 10 statute miles, temperature 75 degrees F, winds 240 degrees at 19 knots with gusts to 28 knots, and an altimeter setting of 30.18 inches of Mercury. ## Factual narrative On July 1, 2002, at 1650 mountain daylight time, a Schreder RS-15 glider, N33515, piloted by a commercial glider pilot, was destroyed when it impacted on the north face of Grand Teton Mountain (elevation 13,770 feet mean sea level), approximately 200 feet below the summit. The accident site was located 17 miles north of Jackson, Wyoming. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91without a flight plan. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The local flight originated at Driggs, Idaho, approximately 1600. A witness observed the glider circling the summit block of Grand Teton Mountain. The witness reported seeing the glider proceed southeast to northwest. The glider's left wing contacted the mountain approximately 150 feet below the summit. The witness reported seeing the wing crumple and then hearing a loud noise. The glider then disappeared behind the north side of the mountain. Ground observers for the National Park Service reported locating the wreckage the following morning. The glider wreckage was spread down the north face of Grand Teton Mountain beginning approximately 200 feet below the summit and extending down the mountain approximately 1,500 feet. A wing was identified as resting approximately 700 feet below the summit in the wreckage path. At 1658, the Aviation Routine Weather Report for Jackson Hole Airport, 144 degrees at 8 miles from the accident site, was clear skies, visibility 10 statute miles, temperature 75 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point not reported, winds 240 degrees at 19 knots with gusts to 28 knots, and an altimeter setting of 30.18 inches of Mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N33515](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N33515-2012-10-03), registration cancelled 2012-10-03, S/N 10, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schreder RS-15 - Registry model: [Schreder SCHREDER RS-15](https://openairdocs.org/model/schreder-schreder-rs-15) (registry code 7900107) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider, amateur-built - Serial number: 10 - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David A. Ryhti - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: U59, Driggs, ID ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; injuries: fatal; commercial, flight instructor; toxicology performed; flight hours: 497 total, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 18 knots, gusting 28 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: JAC, 8 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20020701015679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020701015679A), Jul 1, 2002: Amtr RS15, Jackson, WY, No damage, 1 fatal. (-23) Pilot was flying too close to grand teton peak where high gusty wind conditions existed, the left wing struck the mountain, severing the wing. Note:… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 7, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55116. 1.1 MB in all. - Maps or Charts of Accident Area, Wreckage Diagrams (item 1, .PDF, 533 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40170636&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maps%20or%20Charts%20of%20Accident%20Area,%20Wreckage%20Diagrams-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 492 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40170637&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Miscellaneous - Pilot Logbook Extraction (item 3, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40170638&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%20-%20Pilot%20Logbook%20Extraction-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.