# NTSB LAX96LA060: Laister LP-15, N6LS, Adelanto, CA, December 1, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 1, 1995, 14:18 local (22:18 UTC)
- Place: Adelanto, CA
- Coordinates: 34.660915, -117.509185 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6609&lon=-117.5092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 20, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29346
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29346/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA060

## Probable cause

the pilot's selection of the wrong runway for the prevailing wind conditions, and his failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during the base-to-final turn.

## 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
  - weather condition - tailwind
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vso) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PILOT ENTERED THE AIRSTRIP TRAFFIC PATTERN AND SET UP FOR A DOWNWIND FINAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 9. THE WINDSOCKS WERE INDICATING A WIND FROM THE WEST AT 10-12 KNOTS AND FAVORED A LANDING TO THE WEST. AN FAA DESIGNATED PILOT EXAMINER FOR GLIDERS WITNESSED THE ACCIDENT AND REPORTED THAT THE SPEED AND ALTITUDE OF THE GLIDER WAS SLOW AND LOW. THE GLIDER BEGAN A BASE-TO-FINAL TURN ABOUT 50-75 FEET AGL AND THE LEFT WING OF THE GLIDER DROPPED. THE EXAMINER SAID THE GLIDER APPEARED TO STALL AND THEN DESCEND TO GROUND IMPACT.

## Factual narrative

On December 1, 1995, at 1418 hours Pacific standard time, a Laister Sailplane LP-15, N6LS, collided with the ground during the base-to-final turn while landing at Krey Field, Adelanto, California.  The glider was operated as a personal flight when the accident occurred.  The glider was destroyed and the certificated private pilot was seriously injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

Witnesses reported the pilot was towed toward the east to an altitude of 3,000 feet above ground level (agl), and the weather conditions at the time of landing favored a landing to the west.  The glider was observed on a downwind leg of the traffic pattern heading west into the wind.

An FAA designated pilot examiner for gliders witnessed the accident.  The speed and altitude of the glider was reported as slow and low.  During the base-to-final turn for runway 09 about 50-75 feet agl, the left wing of the glider was observed to drop.  The witness said the glider appeared to stall and then descend to ground impact.

Examination of the glider by the airport manager after the accident did not reveal any evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction.  The field is equipped with three windsocks.  According to witnesses, the windsocks were indicating a wind from the west at 10-12 knots at the time of the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6LS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6LS-2002-02-11), registration cancelled 2002-02-11, S/N N1, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Laister LP-15
- Registry model: [Laister Sailplane LP-15](https://openairdocs.org/model/laister-sailplane-lp-15) (registry code 5100202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: N1
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Elwood M. Inkster
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1995
- Departed: 0CL1, CA
- Airport: 0CL1, Krey Field, runway 9, 3,360 × 250 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; private; seat: front; flight hours: 299 total, 2 in this make and model, 219 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19951201039509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951201039509A), Dec 1, 1995: Laistr LP15, Adelanto, CA, Destroyed. Made downwind turn to base low and slow. Stalled and impacted short of runway. Wind favored opposite runway.

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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