# NTSB WPR14CA138: DG Flugzeugbau DG 1000S, N624RM, Wrightwood, CA, March 15, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 15, 2014, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Wrightwood, CA - Coordinates: 34.359359, -117.610511 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3594&lon=-117.6105&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 5, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 88930 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA138 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88930/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88930 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA138 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision to maneuver the glider where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, resulting in an off airport landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Temp/humidity/pressure: thermal lifting](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [DG Flugzeugbau DG 1000S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031040/cases.md?model=3802570), [All aircraft, 53 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031040/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: flight planning/navigation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [DG Flugzeugbau DG 1000S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md?model=3802570), [All aircraft, 179 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [DG Flugzeugbau DG 1000S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=3802570), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [DG Flugzeugbau DG 1000S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=3802570), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was for him to take his cousin, the sole passenger, around the local ski area. After departure, the glider was towed to about 9,000 feet mean sea level (msl) and adjacent to the ski area. The pilot maneuvered the glider in a 300-degree turn to the right and realized that he was at a lower altitude than the ridge. He continued toward the ridge in an effort to gain lift off of the canyons. As the glider continued to lose altitude, it descended below 6,000 feet msl and the pilot began to look for terrain that would be favorable for an off-airport landing. After deciding on a location, the pilot deployed the airbrakes and with the glider about 10 to 15 feet above ground level (agl), he intentionally stalled. The glider mushed into the ground with little horizontal speed. During the accident sequence the glider incurred substantial damage to the tail boom and wings. The pilot reported no pre impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was for him to take his cousin, the sole passenger, around the local ski area. After departure, the glider was towed to about 9,000 feet mean sea level (msl) and adjacent to the ski area. The pilot maneuvered the glider in a 300-degree turn to the right and realized that he was at a lower altitude than the ridge. He continued toward the ridge in an effort to gain lift off of the canyons. As the glider continued to lose altitude, it descended below 6,000 feet msl and the pilot began to look for terrain that would be favorable for an off-airport landing. After deciding on a location, the pilot deployed the airbrakes and with the glider about 10 to 15 feet above ground level (agl), he intentionally stalled. The glider mushed into the ground with little horizontal speed. During the accident sequence the glider incurred substantial damage to the tail boom and wings. The pilot reported no pre impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N624RM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N624RM), registered now, S/N 10-129S82 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DG FLUGZEUGBAU GMBH DG 1000S (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [DG Flugzeugbau DG 1000S](https://openairdocs.org/model/dg-flugzeugbau-dg-1000s) (registry code 3802570) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 10-129S82 - Year built: 2008 - Airframe hours: 1680 - Engines: none - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Southern California Soaring Academy Inc - Registered owner: Southern California Soaring Academy Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 6, 2013 - Departed: 46CN, Llano, CA - Destination: 46CN, Llano, CA - Airport: 46CN, Crystal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: minor; private, foreign, student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: rear; flight hours: 225 total, 5 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 9 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles ## 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 20140315003469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140315003469A), Mar 15, 2014: Dg Flugzeugbau Gmbh DG 1000S, Wrightwood, CA, Substantial damage. Glider crashed in rugged terrain 5.6 miles n of Wrightwood, CA ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 21, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88930. 906 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 906 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412503&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.