# NTSB DEN84FTM04: Rolladen-Schneider LS3, N8JN, Brigham City, UT, September 29, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 29, 1984, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Brigham City, UT
- Coordinates: 41.510746, -112.040847 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5107&lon=-112.0408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16257
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84FTM04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16257/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84FTM04

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT IMPACTED ON A MOUNTAIN RIDGE DURING A 60 DEG LEFT BANK. THE PLT HAD BEEN IN RADIO COMMUNICATION WITH ANOTHER GLIDER PLT NEAR HIS FLT AREA. JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT HE RADIOED THAT HE WAS GOING AROUND A MOUNTAIN POINT IN SEARCH OF A THERMAL. WHEN NO MORE COMMUNICATIONS WERE HEARD, THE ACCOMPANYING FLT FLEW AROUND THE POINT & FOUND THE ACCIDENT WRECKAGE. THE WRECKAGE WAS INTACT WITH EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FWD FUSELAGE. THE ELT IN THE PLTS COMPARTMENT WAS SHATTERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8JN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8JN-2013-05-14), registration cancelled 2013-05-14, S/N 3276, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Rolladen-Schneider LS3
- Registry model: [Rolladen-Schneider LS-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/rolladen-schneider-ls-3) (registry code 3801213) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 3276
- Airframe hours: 640
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard Apgar
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 10, 1984, 56 hours before
- Departed: BMC, BRIGHAM CITY, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,650 total, 111 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: 0DG, 18 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 19840929052379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840929052379A), Sep 29, 1984: Rolsch LS3, Brigham City, UT, Substantial damage. Glider impacted trees and mountain side. Cause unknown.

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.

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