# NTSB LAX83LA190: Rolladen-Schneider LS-4, N3025R, La Jolla, CA, April 10, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 10, 1983, 13:10 local (21:10 UTC)
- Place: La Jolla, CA
- Coordinates: 32.859245, -117.240013 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8592&lon=-117.2400&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): 23677
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA190
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23677/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA190

## 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
  - elevator - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS QUALIFIED FOR SOLO WINCH LAUNCHES IN AN SGS-1-26 GLIDER. ON HIS 1ST WINCH LAUNCH USING A C.G. HOOK IN THIS GLIDER, HE ALLOWED THE ACFT TO ENTER AN ABNORMALLY HIGH ANGLE OF ATTACK, WHICH WAS OBSERVED THRU-OUT THE TAKEOFF PROCESS. THE GLIDE THEN ENTERED A STALL-SPIN & CRASHED. ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL, FORWARD ELEVATOR MUST BE USED AFTER LEAVING THE GROUND DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE TOW HOOK & THE TENDENCY OF THE GLIDER TO ENTER A STEEP NOSE-UP ATTITUDE. THE MANUAL REQUIRED PRONOUNCED FORWARD PRESSURE THRU-OUT THE TRANSITION ARC.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3025R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3025R-2017-05-23), registration cancelled 2017-05-23, S/N 4203, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROLLADEN-SCHNEIDER LS-4
- Registry model: [Rolladen-Schneider LS-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/rolladen-schneider-ls-4) (registry code 3801250) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 4203
- Airframe hours: 75
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ernest Meyer
- Last inspection: Annual, June 21, 1982, 75 hours before
- Departed: CA84, LA JOLLA, CA
- Destination: CA84
- Airport: CA84, Torrey Pines Gliderport, runway 27, 1,500 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 120 total, 33 in this make and model, 111 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NKX, 9 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 19830410011869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830410011869A), Apr 10, 1983: Rolsch LS4, La Jolla, CA, Destroyed. Stalled glider on winch launch with unfamiliar CG hook. Glider spun into ground. Failed to maintain down elevator.

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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