# NTSB LAX90LA264: Rolladen-Schneider LS3-A, N34AZ, Sparks, NV, July 31, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1990, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Sparks, NV
- Coordinates: 39.540672, -119.749153 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5407&lon=-119.7492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26874
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA264
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26874/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA264

## Probable cause

THE INABILITY OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE GLIDER AS A RESULT OF INJURIES SUSTAINED DURING AN INFLIGHT ENCOUNTER WITH TURBULENCE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS TURBULENT WEATHER CONDITION ENCOUNTERED.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - incapacitation, pilot in command (cause)
- Miscellaneous/other, cruise
  - in-flight planning/decision - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - aircraft unattended/engine(s) running - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A GLIDER COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN AFTER AN INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL. THE PILOT BAILED OUT OF THE GLIDER BEFORE IMPACT WITH THE GROUND. THE PILOT INDICATED THE GLIDER ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE. DURING THE ENCOUNTER, THE PILOT'S HEAD STRUCK THE GLIDER CANOPY AND THE PILOT'S RIGHT ARM WAS INJURED. THE PILOT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE PITCH OF THE GLIDER AND ELECTED TO BAIL OUT. THE PILOT HAD DIFFICULTY EXITING THE GLIDER DUE TO INJURIES. THE INJURY TO THE RIGHT ARM HAMPERED THE PILOT IN RELEASING THE GLIDER CANOPY, RELEASING HER SEAT BELT, AND PULLING THE PARACHUTE 'D-RING.' AFTER RELEASING THE CANOPY AND UNFASTENING THE SEAT BELT WITH THE AID OF HER LEFT HAND, THE PILOT DEPLOYED HER PARACHUTE WHILE STILL SEATED. THE PILOT LEANED FORWARD IN THE COCKPIT AND THE PILOT CHUTE DEPLOYED. AS THE MAIN CHUTE INFLATED, THE PILOT WAS PULLED FROM THE GLIDER. THE PILOT PARACHUTED SAFELY TO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N34AZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N34AZ-2019-09-06), registration cancelled 2019-09-06, S/N 3349, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROLLADEN-SCHNEIDER LS3-A
- Registry model: [Rolladen-Schneider OHG LS3-A](https://openairdocs.org/model/rolladen-schneider-ohg-ls3-a) (registry code 3801214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 3349
- Airframe hours: 794
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Henrietta C. Amade
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 4, 1989, 99 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 2,939 total, 48 in this make and model, 2,867 as pilot in command, 181 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RNO, 20 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 19900731029329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900731029329A), Jul 31, 1990: Rolsch LS3A, Sparks, NV, Destroyed. Encountered severe turbulence on recent injured head and arm. Unable control pitch. Bailed out. Pushpull rod broke.

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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