# NTSB LAX82FA136: Schleicher ASW-20, N6KS, Tulare, CA, April 15, 1982 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: April 15, 1982, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Tulare, CA - Coordinates: 36.17913, -119.360984 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1791&lon=-119.3610&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious - Status: Completed, report April 15, 1983 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 72871 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA136 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72871/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA136 ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, climb - to cruise - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled - wing - separation (contributing factor) - Miscellaneous/other, descent - uncontrolled - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - Midair collision, climb - to cruise - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled - wing - separation (contributing factor) - Miscellaneous/other, descent - uncontrolled - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis (aircraft 2) THE GLIDER PILOT ENTERED A THERMAL WITH THREE OTHER SAILPLANES AND BEGAN TO CLIMB. TWO OF THE SAILPLANES WERE ABOUT 1000 FT BELOW HIM AND THE OTHER PLANE WAS ABOUT 500 FT ABOVE. AS THE PILOT WAS CLIMBING TO ABOUT 4000 FT MSL, HE LOST SIGHT TO THE SAILPLANE ABOVE HIM AND ELECTED TO LEAVE THE THERMAL. AS HE WAS PREPARING TO LEAVE, HE SAW THE OTHER PLANE ON A COLLISION COURSE. HE TOOK EVASIVE ACTION, BUT WAS TOO LATE. THE RIGHT WING OF HIS PLANE STRUCK THE LEFT WING OF N6KS. ABOUT 10 FT OF THE RIGHT WING SEPARATED AND THE PLANE WENT OUT OF CONTROL. THE PILOT BAILED OUT SUCCESSFULLY AND THE GLIDER CAME TO REST UPRIGHT IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE PILOT OF THE OTHER GLIDER MANAGED TO BAIL OUT, BUT HIS PARACHUTE DID NOT OPEN. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) AFTER RELEASING FROM THE TOW AIRCRAFT, THE GLIDER PILOT PROCEEDED TO GAIN ALTITUDE IN A THERMAL ALONG WITH OTHER SAILPLANES. AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 4000 FT MSL, A COLLISION OCCURRED WITH ONE OF THE OTHER SAILPLANES. ABOUT 9 FT OF THE LEFT WING SEPARATED AND THE PLANE WENT OUT OF CONTROL. THE PILOT FAILED TO RELEASE THE CANOPY, BUT WAS ABLE TO FREE HIMSELF FROM THE PLANE. REPORTEDLY, HE HAD SUFFICIENT TIME AND ALTITUDE TO OPEN HIS PARACHUTE, BUT THE CHUTE DID NOT OPEN. AN EXAMINATION OF THE PARACHUTE REVEALED THAT THE RIP CHORD WAS EXTENDED WITH PINS FREE OF THE BACK PACK RETAINERS. THE PILOT CHUTE WAS DEPLOYED ALONG WITH A SMALL PORTION OF THE MAIN CHUTE. THE PILOT OF THE OTHER GLIDER BAILED OUT SUCCESSFULLY. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N6KS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6KS-2014-10-28), registration cancelled 2014-10-28, S/N 20362, 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: 20362 - Airframe hours: 133 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Rick'S Glass Tech - Registered owner: Rick'S Glass Tech - Departed: TULARE, CA - Destination: TULARE, CA - Airport: Tulare Municipal ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N161SS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N161SS), registered now, S/N 4009 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BURKHART GROB FLUGZEUGBAH SPEED ASTIR II (SPEED ASTI) - Registry model: [Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau SPEED ASTIR II](https://openairdocs.org/model/burkhart-grob-flugzeugbau-speed-astir-ii) (registry code 1660302) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 4009 - Airframe hours: 320 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robert Stanley Winsor - Registered owner: Ben W, Dysart/Robert Stanley W - Departed: TULARE, CA - Destination: TULARE, CA - Airport: Tulare Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N6KS; age 25; private; medical: class 2, invalid medical for flight; flight hours: 735 total, 231 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days - Pilot, aircraft N161SS; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 23 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles ## 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 19820415009521A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820415009521A), Apr 15, 1982: Schler ASW20, Tulare, CA, Substantial damage. Collided with another glider,N161SS,while thermaling. Delayed ejection, chute did not open. Advanced artery disease - [Accident 19820415009522A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820415009522A), Apr 15, 1982: Grob G103TWNASTIR, Tulare, CA, Substantial damage. Collided with another glider N6KS while thermaling. Tried evasive action. Bailed out, landed safely. 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.