Friday, June 23, 2017

Schempp-Hirth Discus-2B, N21TH, Bay Area Soaring Associates Inc: Accident occurred June 22, 2017 in Bishop, Inyo County, California

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

NTSB Identification: GAA17CA368
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, June 22, 2017 in Bishop, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 10/17/2017
Aircraft: SCHEMPP-HIRTH DISCUS 2B, registration: N21TH
Injuries: 1 Minor.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The pilot of the glider reported that, while circling over rising mountainous terrain in search of thermals, he approached a “ridge right in front of me [him].” He added that, at that moment, “the [flight] controls went soft [and] I [he] could see that I [he] was [aerodynamically] stalled and plummeting toward the terrain and trees below.” He further added that he “pointed the [glider’s] nose down at a steep angle” to gain airspeed, but the glider impacted trees and steep terrain. 

The fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage.  

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot’s exceedance of the glider’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering over rising mountainous terrain, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. 

The pilot of the glider reported that, while circling over rising mountainous terrain in search of thermals, he approached a "ridge right in front of me [him]." He added that, at that moment, "the [flight] controls went soft [and] I [he] could see that I [he] was [aerodynamically] stalled and plummeting toward the terrain and trees below." He further added that, he "pointed the [glider's] nose down at a steep angle" to gain airspeed, but the glider impacted trees and steep terrain. 

The fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage. 

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Reno, Nevada

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Reno, Nevada

Bay Area Soaring Associates Inc: http://registry.faa.gov/N21TH

NTSB Identification: GAA17CA368
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, June 22, 2017 in Bishop, CA
Aircraft: SCHEMPP-HIRTH DISCUS 2B, registration: N21TH
Injuries: 1 Minor.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The pilot of the glider reported that, while circling over rising mountainous terrain in search of thermals, he approached a "ridge right in front of me [him]." He added that, at that moment, "the [flight] controls went soft [and] I [he] could see that I [he] was [aerodynamically] stalled and plummeting toward the terrain and trees below." He further added that, he "pointed the [glider's] nose down at a steep angle" to gain airspeed, but the glider impacted trees and steep terrain.

The fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage. 

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.

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