# NTSB LAX94LA210: Schweizer SGS 1-34, N1163S, Hemet, CA, May 3, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 3, 1994, 15:20 local (22:20 UTC) - Place: Hemet, CA - Coordinates: 33.729461, -117.049415 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7295&lon=-117.0494&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28735 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA210 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28735/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA210 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering in the traffic pattern, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. A factor in the accident was the pilot's low total flight time. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final - airspeed(vso) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis A ground witness observed the aircraft enter the traffic pattern for runway 22 at a slow rate of speed. The glider continued to slow down as it made a skidding flat turn from downwind to base. During the base to final turn, the witness saw the aircraft enter a two-turn spin and impact the ground nose first. An FAA airworthiness inspector responded to the accident site and reported that he did not find any mechanical discrepancies. The pilot was issued his private certificate with a glider rating on March 12, 1994. ## Factual narrative On May 3, 1994, at 1520 Pacific daylight time, a Schweizer SGS 1- 34 glider, N1163S, collided with the ground following a loss of control in the traffic pattern at the Hemet, California, airport. The glider was owned and operated by Sailplane Enterprises of Hemet and was rented by the pilot for a local area personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The glider was destroyed in the ground collision sequence. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. The flight originated from the Hemet airport on the day of the accident about 1430 hours. A ground witness reported observing the aircraft enter the traffic pattern for runway 22 at a slow rate of speed. The glider was observed continuing to slow down as it made a skidding flat turn from down ind to base. During the base to final turn, the witness saw the aircraft enter a two-turn spin and impact the ground nose first. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector from the Riverside, California, Flight Standards District Office responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. The inspector reported that he did not find any mechanical discrepancies. The pilot was issued his private certificate with a glider rating on March 12, 1994. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1163S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1163S-2001-02-26), registration cancelled 2001-02-26, S/N 63 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 1-34 - Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-34](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-34) (registry code 8050146) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 63 - Airframe hours: 3355 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Sailplane Enterprises - Registered owner: Sailplane Enterprises - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 29, 1993, 102 hours before - Departed: HMT - Airport: HMT, Hemet-Ryan, runway 22, 2,300 × 30 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; private; seat: center; flight hours: 106 total, 86 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19940503009939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940503009939A), May 3, 1994: Scwzer SGS134, Hemet, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Made slow skidding turn onto base leg. Stalled. Spun to impact. ## Other investigations on N1163S (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 LAX90LA325](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA325), Sep 9, 1990: Schweizer SGS1-34 (N1163S), Hemet, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS. 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.