# NTSB LAX98LA234: Schempp-Hirth Discus A, N95KM, Bridgeport, CA, July 13, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1998, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Bridgeport, CA
- Coordinates: 38.270835, -119.329399 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2708&lon=-119.3294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 43190
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA234
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43190/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA234

## Probable cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain clearance with the trees while maneuvering to locate a thermal lift.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - weather condition - no thermal lift (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

The pilot was flying low in a canyon with no thermal activity and attempted to gain lift by flying close to a ridge. The glider impacted a tree and the wings were torn off.  The elevation at the accident site was approximately 7,700 feet msl.  The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction with the aircraft prior to the accident.

## Factual narrative

On July 13, 1998, at 1600 hours Pacific daylight time, a Schemp-Hirth Discus A glider, N95KM, lost lift and impacted terrain approximately 10 miles northeast of Bridgeport, California.  The aircraft was destroyed, and the private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The personal flight originated at the Minden, Nevada, airport at 1356, and was en route to the Lone Pine, California, airport.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that she was flying low in a canyon with no thermal activity.  She attempted to gain lift by flying close to the ridge.  The glider impacted a tree and the wings were torn off.  The pilot reported that the glider then spun into the canyon wall and impacted the terrain.  The elevation at the accident site was approximately 7,700 feet msl.

The pilot reported that she had not experienced any mechanical malfunction with the aircraft prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N95KM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N95KM-2000-09-01), registration cancelled 2000-09-01, S/N 534 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schempp-Hirth DISCUS A
- Registry model: [Schempp-Hirth DISCUS A](https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-discus-a) (registry code 38019VP) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 534
- Airframe hours: 424
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tony Sabino
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 27, 1998, 29 hours before
- Departed: MEV, MINDEN, NV
- Destination: O26, LONE PINE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 316 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TVL

## 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 19980713035559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980713035559A), Jul 13, 1998: Schemp DISCUSA, Bridgeport, CA, Destroyed. (.23)Experienced loss of lift during a country glider flight. Off airport landing in field. Aircraft received substantial damage. (.19)on July 13, 1998, at…

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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