# NTSB LAX03CA277: PZL PW-5, N105PS, Yreka, CA, August 30, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 30, 2003, 14:16 local (21:16 UTC) - Place: Yreka, CA - Coordinates: 41.728889, -122.774719 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7289&lon=-122.7747&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57869 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03CA277 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57869/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03CA277 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision and failure to maintain airspeed resulted in an inadvertent stall. A factor in the accident was the downdraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) ## Analysis A glider impacted tree-covered terrain after encountering a downdraft. The glider was released from a tow airplane at 5,600 feet msl and climbed, using thermals, to 7,500 feet msl. The pilot maneuvered to a nearby ridge and was caught in a downdraft. He turned toward the ridge and lost altitude at a rapid pace. As he came closer to the treetops on the mountain, he lifted the nose, which resulted in a loss of airspeed. The glider stalled into the trees. During the pilot's glider training he was instructed to always turn away from ridges when "thermaling," in efforts to avoid downdrafts. ## Factual narrative On August 30, 2003, at 1416 Pacific daylight time, a non-powered PZL Swidnik PW-5 glider, N105PS, impacted trees after a loss of thermal lift near Yreka, 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 local flight departed Siskiyou County Airport, Montague, California, about 1330. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The primary wreckage was at 41 degrees 43 minutes north latitude and 122 degrees 46 minutes west longitude. In a telephone interview, the pilot reported that he was released from a tow airplane near mountains at 5,600 feet mean sea level (msl). He climbed, using thermals, to 7,500 feet msl and began to maneuver toward a ridge. The glider was caught in a downdraft and descended at a rapid pace. He turned the glider to face into the ridge while losing altitude. As he came closer to the treetops on the mountain, he lifted the nose, which resulted in a loss of airspeed. The glider stalled into the trees. After the accident, the pilot radioed for help and successfully met up with a rescue team. The pilot speculated that the downdrafts were from a wave effect from mountains that were just south of the accident location. During the pilot's glider training, his intructors taught him to always turn away from ridges when "thermaling," in efforts to avoid downdrafts. In a written statement, the pilot observed that the glider damage consisted of the right wing being torn off, the tail boom broken, and the left wing broken at the aileron. There were no mechanical malfunctions reported. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N105PS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N105PS-2009-08-18), registration cancelled 2009-08-18, S/N 17 11 018, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PZL PW-5 - Registry model: [Pzl-Swidnik PW-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/pzl-swidnik-pw-5) (registry code 9810150) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 1711018 - Airframe hours: 128 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: George O'Leary - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, May 14, 2003, 37 hours before - Departed: KSIY, Montague, CA - Destination: KSIY, Montague, CA - Airport: KSIY, Siskiyou County, runway 35 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 3, 2002; seat: center; flight hours: 164 total, 37 in this make and model, 95 as pilot in command, 58 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KSIY, 14 nm away 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.