# NTSB LAX83FA333: Rolladen-Schneider LS3-A, N56TM, Bishop, CA, July 13, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1983, 12:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Bishop, CA
- Coordinates: 37.499336, -118.310272 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4993&lon=-118.3103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23472
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA333
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23472/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA333

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE GLIDER PLT WAS PARTICIPATING IN A SOARING CONTEST WHICH INVOLVED A QUADRANGLE COURSE. WHILE ENROUTE TO THE 1ST TURN POINT WITH 2 OTHER SAILPLANES, THE PLT WAS OBSERVED TO DEPART FROM THE GENERAL FLT PATH OF THE OTHER 2 GLIDERS & FLY ON THE LEEWARD SIDE OF A RIDGELINE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE GLIDER CRASHED BETWEEN 2 KNOLLS, ABOUT 51 FT WEST & 5 FT BELOW THE RIDGELINE, IN A SLIGHTLY NOSE UP & A NEAR WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE. NO PREIMPACT/PART MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS FOUND. BETWEEN 1150 & 1250 PDT, THE WIND AT BISHOP, CA SHIFTED FROM 030 TO 340 DEG. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ABOUT 6 MI NORTHEAST OF BISHOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N56TM (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROLLADEN-SCHNEIDER LS3-A
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 3422
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas Smiley Madigan
- Departed: BIH, BISHOP, CA
- Destination: BIH, BISHOP, CA
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; medical: unknown; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,000 total, 400 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BIH, 6 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 19830713031499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830713031499A), Jul 13, 1983: Rolsch LS3A, Bishop, CA, Destroyed. Glider collided with mountain ridge during soaring contest. Pilot was observed flying on leeward side of ridge.

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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