# NTSB LAX03CA201: Schleicher ASW-20, N34LB, Idyllwild, CA, June 15, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 15, 2003, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Idyllwild, CA - Coordinates: 33.733333, -116.733329 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7333&lon=-116.7333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57244 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03CA201 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57244/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03CA201 ## Probable cause The combined effects of a loss of thermal lift and a gust induced loss of airspeed at a low above ground altitude, which resulted in a descent to impact with trees. The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate terrain clearance margin while cruising in mountainous terrain was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, cruise - weather condition - no thermal lift (cause) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (cause) - descent - initiated, pilot in command - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The glider impacted trees after a loss of thermal lift during gusty wind conditions. After the glider was released from the tow plane, the pilot made repeated attempts to ascend a mountain; however, insufficient thermals were found to accomplish the climb. On the third attempt, the airspeed suddenly went from 55 to 40 knots and the glider lost 100 to 200 feet. The pilot lowered the nose to prevent a stall. There was a dead tree to the left of the glider and the pilot executed a nose down, right turn downslope in order to maintain speed and regain terrain clearance. Shortly thereafter, the wings collided with trees and were sheared from the fuselage. The fuselage went through the two trees and came to rest inverted. The pilot stated that there were no control problems noted with the glider. ## Factual narrative On June 15, 2003, about 1500 Pacific daylight time, an unpowered Schleicher ASW-20 glider, N34LB, impacted trees after a loss of thermal lift near Idyllwild, California. The pilot/owner was operating the glider under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries; the glider sustained substantial damage. The personal local flight departed Hemet-Ryan Field (HMT), Hemet, California, about 1230. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The primary wreckage was at 33 degrees 44 minutes north latitude and 116 degrees 44 minutes west longitude. The pilot reported he was released from the tow airplane near mountains, in gusty wind conditions, about 3,000 feet above ground level (agl), 4,500 feet mean sea level (msl). He climbed, using thermals, to 6,000 feet msl. The first goal was to ascend Mount San Jacinto (10,804 feet msl). The usual procedure to complete the ascension over the mountain range consisted of a "stepping stone" approach along or between the mountains. The pilot had done this maneuver on many past flights. After a third attempt to ascend Mount San Jacinto, the pilot did not find lift, and cruised in a southeast direction at 6,400 feet msl and 55 knots. Suddenly, he felt the glider slow, and noticed his airspeed had dropped from 55 to 40 knots and the glider had lost 100 to 200 feet. The pilot lowered the nose to prevent a stall. There was a dead tree to the left of the glider so the pilot executed a right, nose down turn downslope in order to maintain speed and regain terrain clearance. He heard a "bang," then a series of "booms and shocks" as the glider hit trees. Thereafter, he lost control of the glider. The glider went between two trees, spaced about 6 feet apart. The wings were sheared off and remained in the trees' branches, about 20 feet agl. The fuselage went between the two trees, and came to rest nose down, inverted, on the ground. The pilot worked his way out of the glider, and spent the night in the mountains. After an extensive hike, he followed a creek bed to a highway where he was later rescued. The pilot did not report any control malfunctions prior to the mishap. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N34LB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N34LB-2004-08-28), registration cancelled 2004-08-28, S/N 20342, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schleicher ASW-20 - Registry model: [Schleicher ASW-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/schleicher-asw-20) (registry code 3801506) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 20342 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William Blair - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: HMT, Hemet Ryan, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; injuries: minor; private; flight hours: 1,025 total, 750 in this make and model, 31 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 12 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: KRAL ## 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 20030615011669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030615011669A), Jun 15, 2003: Schler ASW20, Idyllwild, CA, Destroyed. (-23) On June 15, 2003, at approximately 1500 pacific daylight time, a schleicher ASW-20 glider, N34LB, collided with tree tops in mountainious terrain about… 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.