# NTSB LAX82DA335: Schempp-Hirth Ventus, N214T, California City, CA, September 5, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1982, 14:12 local (21:12 UTC)
- Place: California City, CA
- Location: 35.1258° N, 117.9859° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of California City, CA, within about 8 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1258&lon=-117.9859&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70099
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA335
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70099/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA335

## Sequence of events

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

- Midair collision, maneuvering
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
- Midair collision, maneuvering
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED DURING A CROSS-COUNTRY GLIDER RACE INVOLVING 41 GLIDERS. SEVEN OR EIGHT GLIDERS WERE CIRCLING IN RIGHT TURNS IN A THERMAL AT APPROXIMATELY THE SAME ALTITUDE WHEN THE COLLISION OCCURRED. THE PLT OF THE VENTUS STATED HIS GLIDER BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE & HE SUCCESSFULLY BAILED OUT. THE PLT OF THE ASW-20 RETURNED TO THE CALIFORNIA CITY ARPT & LANDED OKAY.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: N214T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SCHEMPP-HIRTH VENTUS
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 12
- Airframe hours: 214
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: James A. Nezgoda
- Registered owner: James A. Nezgoda
- Departed: CALIFORNIA CITY, CA
- Destination: CALIFORNIA CITY, CA

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: N44MA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SCHLEICHER ASW-20
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 20-011
- Airframe hours: 826
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Michael J. Adams
- Registered owner: Michael J. Adams
- Departed: CALIFORNIA CITY, CA
- Destination: CALIFORNIA CITY, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N214T; age 42; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 11,000 total, 200 in this make and model, 11,000 as pilot in command, 143 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N44MA; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,488 total, 190 in this make and model, 1,439 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Temperature: 203 °F

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19820905043901A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820905043901A), Sep 5, 1982: Sphrth VENTUSA, California City, CA, Destroyed. Overtook from underneath and collided with N44M. Both gliders circling in a thermal with others. Had to bail out.
- [Accident 19820905043902A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820905043902A), Sep 5, 1982: Schler ASW20, California City, CA, Minor damage. Was overtaken and struck by N214T while both gliders were circling with others in a thermal to gain altitude.

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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