# NTSB LAX90FA310: Schempp-Hirth NIMBUS-2C, N39285, California City, CA, September 3, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1990, 17:35 local (Sep 3, 1990, 00:35 UTC)
- Place: California City, CA
- Coordinates: 35.149978, -117.920883 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1500&lon=-117.9209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26653
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90FA310
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26653/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA310

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER DECISION TO EXECUTE THE RAPID CLIMBING TURN MANEUVER AT AN INSUFFICIENT AIRSPEED. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PREMATURE DUMPING OF THE GLIDER'S WATER BALLAST.

## 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
  - fluid,water - dumped (contributing factor)
  - low pass - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PARTICIPATING IN A ROUND-ROBIN SOARING CHAMPIONSHIP CONTEST. WHEN THE GLIDER WAS ABOUT 2 MILES EAST OF THE FINISH LINE THE PILOT RADIOED THAT HE WAS INBOUND. WHEN THE GLIDER WAS ABOUT 1/4 OF A MILE EAST OF THE FINISH LINE WITNESSES OBSERVED ITS AIRSPEED APPEARED TO BE LESS THAN NORMAL. AFTER CROSSING THE FINISH LINE THE GLIDER ENTERED INTO A CLIMBING RIGHT TURN. WHEN THE GLIDER COMPLETED ABOUT A 180 DEGREE TURN, IT STALLED AND ENTERED INTO A SPIN. A GLIDER PILOT WHO OVERTOOK THE ACCIDENT GLIDER REPORTED THAT THE ACCIDENT PILOT BEGAN TO PREMATURELY DISPERSE HIS WATER BALLAST ABOUT 10 MILES EAST OF THE AIRPORT FINISH LINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39285](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39285-2012-11-29), registration cancelled 2012-11-29, S/N 194 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schempp-Hirth NIMBUS-2C
- Registry model: [Schempp-Hirth K.G. NIMBUS-2C](https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-k-g-nimbus-2c) (registry code 3801923) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 194
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Latour, John F., Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: L71

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, expired; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 269 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F

## 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 19900902037599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900902037599A), Sep 2, 1990: Sphrth NIMBUS2C, California City, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Too low and slow began overhead approach,stalled and spun to ground. Could have landed straight ahead of runway.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.