# NTSB LAX92LA346: Schempp-Hirth Cirrus, N7988, Bishop, CA, August 12, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1992, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Bishop, CA
- Coordinates: 37.500366, -118.309104 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5004&lon=-118.3091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27729
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA346
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27729/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA346

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR INFLIGHT DECISION TO FLY OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AT AN INADEQUATE ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE CERTIFICATED GLIDER PILOT, THE SOLE OCCUPANT, DEPARTED FOR A LOCAL AREA FLIGHT WITH LIFT CONDITIONS DESCRIBED AS WEAK TO MODERATE.  THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED ABOUT 2 HOURS AFTER DEPARTURE IN AN AREA OF RUGGED MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE LEFT WING OF THE GLIDER STRUCK A ROCKY RIDGE AND CAME TO REST ABOUT 300 FEET BELOW THE RIDGE LINE.  OTHER GLIDER PILOTS REPORTED THAT THE ACCIDENT PILOT HAD A PROCLIVITY TO FLY OVER MOUNTAINOUS AREAS AT LOW ALTITUDES.  A TOXICOLOGICAL EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THE PRESENCE OF A CARDIAC ANTIARRHYTHMIC DRUG.  THE QUANTITY OF DRUG FOUND IS CONSIDERED TO BE AT THERAPEUTIC LEVELS.  ACCORDING TO A CAMI PHYSICIAN, THE DRUG, IN VIEW OF THE PILOT'S PREVIOUS MEDICAL HISTORY, DID NOT BY ITSELF, PRESENT A DISQUALIFYING CONDITION THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN EXPECTED TO ADVERSELY AFFECT THE PILOT'S ABILITY TO PILOT A GLIDER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7988](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7988-1993-01-07), registration cancelled 1993-01-07, S/N 101 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHEMPP-HIRTH CIRRUS
- Registry model: [Schempp-Hirth CIRRUS](https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-cirrus) (registry code 38019VC) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 101
- Airframe hours: 294
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sheldon, David B.
- Registered owner: Sheldon, David B.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 3, 1992, 49 hours before
- Departed: BIH, BISHOP, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,971 total, 66 in this make and model, 57 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 100 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BIH, 8 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 19920812031219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920812031219A), Aug 12, 1992: Sphrth CIRRUS, Bishop, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck top of a ridge. Crashed into side of canyon. Thunderstorms in area.

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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