# NTSB LAX86LUG02: Whigham GW4A, N24GW, Hemet, CA, February 20, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1986, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Hemet, CA
- Location: 33.7341° N, 116.9968° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hemet, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7341&lon=-116.9968&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): 25271
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LUG02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25271/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LUG02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - spiral - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - incapacitation(cardiovascular), pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A TOW OPERATION, THE PLT OF THE TOW PLANE STATED THAT JUST AFTER TAKEOFF THE GLIDER ASSUMED A VERY LOW TOW POSITION, THEN SWUNG VERY HIGH TO THE RIGHT THEN TO THE LEFT. AT APRX 250 FT AGL THE GLIDER PLT RELEASED FROM THE TOW PLANE AND EXECUTED A 180 DEG TURN BACK TO THE ARPT. THE TOW PLANE PLT TURNED TO ESCORT THE GLIDER WHEN AT AN ALT OF 150 FT AGL THE GLIDER ENTERED AN 80 TO 90 DEG NOSEDOWN TURN WHICH WAS HELD TO IMPACT. A MEDICAL EXAMINATION OF THE PLT REVEALED THAT HE HAD A HISTORY OF HEART CONDITION AND AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT EXPERIENCED AN ARRHYTHMIA ASSOCIATED WITH THE MOST RECENT MYOCARDIAL INFRACTION. THE PLTS RECORD OF FLT TIME WAS NOT AVAILABLE OR REPORTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N24GW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24GW-2014-09-22), registration cancelled 2014-09-22, S/N 1, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WHIGHAM GW4A
- Registry model: [Whigham GW4A](https://openairdocs.org/model/whigham-gw4a) (registry code 05647H6) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider, amateur-built
- Serial number: #1
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Byron E. Beesley
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: HMT, Hemet-Ryan

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19860220004769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860220004769A), Feb 20, 1986: Amtrpu GW4A, Hemet, CA, Substantial damage. The glider impacted the ground while attempting an emergency return. The pilot had suffered a heart attack.

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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