# NTSB LAX85LA386: Peterson J-4, N29899, Tucson, AZ, September 8, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1985, 15:10 local (22:10 UTC)
- Place: Tucson, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.189044, -110.980705 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1890&lon=-110.9807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24830
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA386
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24830/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA386

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted landing - attempted, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT STATED THAT HE OBSERVED A TOW AIRPLANE AND A GLIDER ON THE RUNWAY AS HE TURNED ONTO THE FINAL APROACH TO LAND. HE SAID THAT HE CONTINUED HIS APPROACH AND WHEN THE TOW AIRCRAFT AND GLIDER FAILED TO TAKE OFF HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN OFF THE RUNWAY, FLY AROUND THEM, AND LAND. THE WING OF THE STUDENT PILOT'S GLIDER COLLIDED WITH HIGH VEGETATION AND THE GLIDER IMPACTED THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N29899](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29899-1991-04-29), registration cancelled 1991-04-29, S/N 008 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Peterson J-4
- Registry model: [Peterson Sailplane-Poly Ind. J-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/peterson-sailplane-poly-ind-j-4) (registry code 6820502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 008
- Airframe hours: 130
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robin R. Robert
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 11, 1984
- Departed: E14, TUCSON, AZ
- Airport: E14, Aura Valley

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; student; seat: center; flight hours: 22 total, 5 in this make and model, 12 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUS, 25 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 19850908043899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850908043899A), Sep 8, 1985: Petson J4PETERSON, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. Glider student attempted to overfly an aircraft on the runway. Wingtip caught bush and aircraft cartwheeled.

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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