# NTSB LAX92LA290: Whigham GW-4, N3705, Warner Springs, CA, July 9, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1992, 13:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Warner Springs, CA
- Coordinates: 33.280971, -116.599098 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2810&lon=-116.5991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27682
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA290
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27682/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA290

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION.  CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE DOWNDRAFTS AND MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

## 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 - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE FLYING OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, 7 MILES NORTH OF THE GLIDERPORT, THE GLIDER FLIGHT ENCOUNTERED STRONG DOWN DRAFTS.  THE PILOT IMMEDIATELY RETURNED TOWARDS THE GLIDERPORT, BUT ENCOUNTERED STRONGER DOWNDRAFTS AND WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR THE RIDGE.  THERE IS NO RECORD THAT THE PILOT OBTAINED A WEATHER BRIEFING BEFORE DEPARTING ON THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3705](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3705-1997-09-13), registration cancelled 1997-09-13, S/N 1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WHIGHAM GW-4
- Registry model: [Whigham GW-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/whigham-gw-4) (registry code 0562981) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 505
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Waters, John B.
- Registered owner: Waters, John B.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 1992, 21 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; seat: center; flight hours: 267 total, 148 in this make and model, 22 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19920709024529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920709024529A), Jul 9, 1992: Amtrpu GW4A, Warner Springs, CA, Substantial damage. Ran out of lift soaring in mountainous area. Unable clear ridge to airpot due to downdraft. Crashed on landing.

## Other investigations on N3705 (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 LAX74DUG25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX74DUG25), Nov 23, 1973: Whigham GW-4 (N3705), Elsinore, CA, substantial damage

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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