N59SE

On September 14, 1998, at 1408 hours Pacific daylight time, a PDPS PZL-Bielsko SZD-59 glider, N59SE, impacted hilly terrain 2 miles northeast of the Truckee-Tahoe Airport, Truckee, California. The aircraft was destroyed and the private pilot, the sole occupant, suffered serious injuries. The personal flight originated at the Truckee Airport at 1352, and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

The pilot reported that within 5 to 10 minutes of tow release, he was approximately 350 feet over the trees and was having trouble gaining lift. He reported that he made a 180-degree turn, slowed his airspeed to 46 knots, and applied "excessive rudder" in the turn. The glider entered a spin and subsequently impacted a grove of pine trees that were approximately 70 feet agl. The pilot did not report experiencing any mechanical discrepancies with the aircraft prior to the accident, but stated that he should have monitored his airspeed more carefully, and should have been more careful with turn coordination.