# NTSB LAX82DA304: Menees LP-49MS, N1524, Sparks, NV, August 15, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: August 15, 1982, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Sparks, NV
- Coordinates: 39.539554, -119.750373 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5396&lon=-119.7504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 15, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72659
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA304
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72659/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA304

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - weather condition - windshear (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper descent rate - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flare - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wing - overload
  - wing - failure,total
  - wing - separation

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED HE RELEASED FROM THE TOW PLANE AT 1,200 FT AGL IN A 200 FPM LIFT. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY HE ENCOUNTERED A 1,000 FPM SINK & IMMEDIATELY ENTERED THE PATTERN FOR A LANDING. HE WAS UNABLE TO ARREST THE SINK RATE & THE ACFT LANDED HARD BREAKING OFF THE RIGHT WING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1524](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1524-2014-09-05), registration cancelled 2014-09-05, S/N 1-9, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MENEES LP-49MS
- Registry model: [Menees LP-49MS](https://openairdocs.org/model/menees-lp-49ms) (registry code 05647W3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1-9
- Airframe hours: 293
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Nevada Soaring Assoc. Inc.
- Registered owner: Nevada Soaring Assoc. Inc.
- Departed: NV23, SPARKS, NV
- Destination: NV23, SPARKS, NV
- Airport: NV23, Air Sailing, runway 16, 7,100 × 150 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial; medical: unknown; flight hours: 303 total, 18 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Temperature: 180 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RNO, 5 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 19820815070289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820815070289A), Aug 15, 1982: Laistr LP49, Sparks, NV, Destroyed. Encountered high sink rate after tow release. Impacted runway nose down on emergency return.

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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