# NTSB LAX84FA382: Entwicklungsgemeinschaft Phoebus C, N880S, Yermo, CA, July 6, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1984, 14:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Yermo, CA
- Coordinates: 34.909397, -116.849411 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9094&lon=-116.8494&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): 23974
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA382
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23974/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA382

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, descent - normal
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - clearance - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - pull-up - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - normal
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED ADVERSE SOARING FLIGHT CONDITIONS DURING A LONG X-COUNTRY ATTEMPT AND WAS FORCED TO DIVERT TO AN INTERMEDIATE AIRPORT. ON A LONG GLIDE TO HIS SELECTED LANDING SITE, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED HIGH POWERLINES. TURNING TO AVOID THEM , HE LOST CONTROL AND ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N880S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N880S-2014-11-20), registration cancelled 2014-11-20, S/N 830, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENTWICKLUNGSGEMEINSCHAFT PHOEBUS C
- Registry model: [Entwicklungsgemeinschaft PHOEBUS C](https://openairdocs.org/model/entwicklungsgemeinschaft-phoebus-c) (registry code 3321210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 830
- Airframe hours: 865
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Norman D. Rockwood
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 28, 1984, 71 hours before
- Departed: L01, LLANO, CA
- Airport: 0L0, Harvard

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 285 total, 171 in this make and model, 261 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 29 knots, gusting 33
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 100 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAG, 2 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 19840706030409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840706030409A), Jul 6, 1984: Entwic PHOEBUSC, Yermo, CA, Destroyed. Ran out of lift enroute near area of thunderstorms. Lost control and spun in due to severe turbulence for landing.

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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