# NTSB LAX83FA386: Schweizer SGS 1-35C, N2941H, Jamul, CA, August 14, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 14, 1983, 14:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Jamul, CA
- Location: 32.7184° N, 116.8709° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Jamul, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7184&lon=-116.8709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23489
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA386
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23489/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA386

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

REPORTEDLY, AFTER WAITING ALMOST 2 HRS, THE PLT DECIDED HE WOULD FLY THE SAILPLANE, EITHER FOR 1 HR OR UNTIL THE OWNER ARRIVED, WHEN THE OWNER ARRIVED, HE OBSERVED THE SAILPLANE FLYING BACK & FORTH ALONG THE NORTH SIDE OF RIDGE AREA. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA ON THE DOWNWIND SIDE OF A RIDGE THAT SLOPED DOWNWARD TO THE NORTH AT ABOUT A 30 DEG ANGLE. ATHOUGH THERE WERE NO KNOWN WITNESSES, THE OWNER SAW THE SAILPLANE DISAPPEAR BEHIND A RIDGE IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACCIDENT SIDE. DURING IMPACT, THE SAILPLANE STRUCK A TREE, APRX 12 FT TALL, & BROKE IT IN HALF. IT CAME TO REST ON TREES & BRUSH WITH EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE NOSE & COCKPIT AREAS. NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE SAILPLANE WAS FOUND. THE CRASH SITE WAS LOCATED IN AN AREA KNOWN TO HAVE PERIODS OF HIGH SINK. THE PLT WAS A NAVAL AVIATOR WITH ONLY ABOUT 3.4 HRS FLT TIME IN THIS MAKE & MODEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2941H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2941H-2012-08-30), registration cancelled 2012-08-30, S/N 91, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 1-35C
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-35C](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-35c) (registry code 8050151) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 91
- Airframe hours: 306
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald A. Faulhaber Jr.
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1982, 31 hours before
- Departed: JAMUL, CA
- Airport: Nichols Field, runway 27, 2,600 × 65 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 925 total, 3 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Observed at: SDM, 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 19830814040679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830814040679A), Aug 14, 1983: Scwzer SGS135C, Jamul, CA, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during ridge soaring by inexperienced glider pilot. Glider crashed on downwind 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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