LAX93LA324

Several gliders were participating in an 80 mile round trip endurance competition and many of the pilots reported turning back early and landing at the gliderport, while others stated that they were forced to make off airport landings in the desert due to unfavorable conditions. The pilot noted that a good altitude margin was maintained during the flight outbound toward the goal until reaching an area about 12 miles west of Wickenburg. The pilot began to experience heavy sink and he decided to turn around and head for the Wickenburg airport. The pilot stated that his altitude continued to deteriorate to the point where the airport at Wickenburg was no longer reachable and an off airport landing in the desert was the only option. The pilot said he found a suitable landing area but had to maneuver on final approach to avoid a set of power lines. The pilot said that during the maneuver the glider stalled, entered a spin to the right and impacted nose first.

On August 15, 1993, at 1535 hours mountain standard time, a Schweizer 1-35C glider, N2562H, collided with the ground during an off airport forced landing in the desert near Wickenburg, Arizona. The glider, owned and operated by the pilot, was participating in an 80 mile round trip endurance competition at the time. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The glider was destroyed in the ground collision sequence. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The flight originated at the Turf Soaring Gliderport in Paradise Valley, Arizona, on the day of the mishap at 1300 hours.

According to an FAA inspector from the Scottsdale, Arizona, Flight Standards District Office, several gliders were participating in the competition and the pilots reported that soaring conditions were not very favorable, with little lift available. Many of the pilots reported turning back early and landing at the gliderport, while others stated that they were forced to make off airport landings in the desert.

In his statement, the pilot noted that a good altitude margin was maintained during the flight outbound toward the goal until reaching an area about 12 miles west of Wickenburg. The pilot reported that he began to experience heavy sink and he decided to turn around and head for the Wickenburg airport. The pilot stated that his altitude continued to deteriorate to the point where the airport at Wickenburg was no longer reachable and an off airport landing in the desert was the only option. The pilot said he found a suitable landing area but had to maneuver on final approach to avoid a set of power lines. The pilot said that during the maneuver the glider stalled, entered a spin to the right and impacted nose first.