# NTSB LAX88LA328: Centrair 101, N101LV, Vacaville, CA, September 25, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 24, 1988, 18:45 local (Sep 25, 1988, 01:45 UTC)
- Place: Vacaville, CA
- Coordinates: 38.410209, -122.010002 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4102&lon=-122.0100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 21, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26109
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA328
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26109/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA328

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT FLEW OVER A FIELD AT 700 FT. A.G.L. TO SEE IF IT WAS SAFE FOR LANDING. HE TURNED THE GLIDER TO ESTABLISH A DOWNWIND LEG. HE THEN TURNED TO THE BASE LEG. WHILE TURNING ONTO FINAL APPROACH AT A LOW ALTITUDE, THE GLIDER PITCHED UP AND ROLLED TO THE LEFT. THE LEFT WINGTIP COLLIDED WITH THE FIELD. THE GLIDER ROTATED 180 DEGREES AND COLLIDED WITH THE FIELD. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE WINDS WERE CALM, HOWEVER, THE WINDS AT FAIRFIELD, CA, 13 MILES SE OF THE ACCIDENT SITE, WERE REPORTED TO BE FROM 240 DEGREES AT 24 KNOTS GUSTING TO 28 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N101LV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N101LV), registered now, S/N 10100264 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CENTRAIR 101
- Registry model: [Centrair 101](https://openairdocs.org/model/centrair-101) (registry code 1990101) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 61P076080633
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Vacaville Aero Services Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 045, VACAVILLE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; seat: center; flight hours: 78 total, 13 in this make and model, 37 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 240° at 24 knots, gusting 28
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Observed at: SUU, 13 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 19880925040069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880925040069A), Sep 25, 1988: Cntrar 101ACENTR, Vacaville, CA, Substantial damage. Dragged a wing turning a low final. Glider then cartwheeled rotating 180 degrees.

## Other investigations on N101LV (1)

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.

- [NTSB WPR12LA250](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA250), Jun 7, 2012: Centrair C101A (N101LV), Sparks, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of both pilots to see and avoid each other, which resulted in a midair collision.

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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