Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's failure to adjust his traffic pattern to compensate for local atmospheric conditions.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On April 19, 1997, at 1442 hours Pacific daylight time, a Blanik L-13 glider, N90620, collided with the ground approximately 1 statute mile short of the Hemet-Ryan glider port in Hemet, California. The aircraft incurred substantial damage when it impacted a fence after landing, and the private pilot received serious injuries. The flight originated at the Hemet-Ryan airport at approximately 1350 on a planned 1-hour local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight.
A glider pilot who had previously landed at Hemet-Ryan stated that she had encountered a large area of sinking air on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX97LA165