# NTSB LAX83FA208: Schempp-Hirth Nimbus II, N21RB, California City, CA, May 1, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 1, 1983, 11:27 local (18:27 UTC)
- Place: California City, CA
- Coordinates: 35.150646, -117.919929 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1506&lon=-117.9199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23448
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA208
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23448/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA208

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES REPORTED THAT DURING TAKEOFF, THE GLIDER WAS BEING TOWED WHEN IT RELEASED AT APRX 300 FT AGL & ENTERED A LEFT TURN. THE TURN CONTINUED, THE BANK ANGLE INCREASED & THE GLIDER SUBSEQUENTLY HIT THE GROUND APRX 1 MILE SOUTHWEST OF THE ARPT. IMPACT OCCURRED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN, LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT A RIGHT TURN WAS THE STANDARD PROCEDURE AFTER A RELEASE FROM A TOW. NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OF THE GLIDER WAS FOUND, BUT ITS TOW HOOK WAS NOT LOCATED. THE TOW ROPE & TOW HOOK ON THE TOW PLANE WERE EXAMINED & NO DISCREPANCIES WERE NOTED. RESULTS OF MEDICAL & TOXICALOGICAL EXAMS WERE NEGATIVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N21RB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SCHEMPP-HIRTH NIMBUS II
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 14
- Airframe hours: 435
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Frank E Sentyrz, Jr
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1983
- Airport: L71, California City, runway 24

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, expired; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 555 total, 137 in this make and model, 475 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 12 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EDW, 16 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 19830501016719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830501016719A), May 1, 1983: Sphrth NIMBUS2, California City, CA, Destroyed. Pilot released tow at 300 feet entered left turn which continued until striking ground. Autopsy revealed no cause.

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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