Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; San Diego, California
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Sky Sailing Inc
Location: Warner Springs, California
Accident Number: WPR20CA273
Date & Time: August 14, 2020, 13:30 Local
Registration: N7547
Aircraft: Schweizer SGS233
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of lift
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
The glider pilot reported that, during the return flight to the airport, he encountered more downdrafts than expected and did not have enough altitude to reach the airport. He selected an area for the forced landing where during the landing roll on the rough terrain, both wings sustained substantial damage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's inability to maintain altitude due to a loss of thermal lift, which resulted in an off-airport landing.
Findings
Aircraft Altitude - Attain/maintain not possible
Environmental issues Thermal lifting - Effect on operation
Factual Information
History of Flight
Enroute-descent Other weather encounter
Enroute-descent Loss of lift (Defining event)
Landing Off-field or emergency landing
Pilot Information
Certificate: Student
Age: 18,Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Glider
Restraint Used: None
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present:
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: None
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: July 19, 2020
Flight Time: 33 hours (Total, all aircraft), 20 hours (Total, this make and model), 19 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 8 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Schweizer
Registration: N7547
Model/Series: SGS233 A
Aircraft Category: Glider
Year of Manufacture: 1970
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 177
Landing Gear Type:
Skid Seats:
Date/Type of Last Inspection: Unknown
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines:
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer:
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series:
Registered Owner:
Rated Power:
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KRNM, 1393 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 19 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 20:53 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 220°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 290°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 29.86 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 33°C / 21°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Warner Springs, CA (CL35)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Warner Springs, CA (CL35)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time:
Type of Airspace: Class G
Airport
Runway Surface Type:
Airport Elevation:
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: IFR
Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced landing
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 33.284442,-116.669723(est)
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