N33515

On July 1, 2002, at 1650 mountain daylight time, a Schreder RS-15 glider, N33515, piloted by a commercial glider pilot, was destroyed when it impacted on the north face of Grand Teton Mountain (elevation 13,770 feet mean sea level), approximately 200 feet below the summit. The accident site was located 17 miles north of Jackson, Wyoming. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91without a flight plan. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The local flight originated at Driggs, Idaho, approximately 1600.

A witness observed the glider circling the summit block of Grand Teton Mountain. The witness reported seeing the glider proceed southeast to northwest. The glider's left wing contacted the mountain approximately 150 feet below the summit. The witness reported seeing the wing crumple and then hearing a loud noise. The glider then disappeared behind the north side of the mountain.

Ground observers for the National Park Service reported locating the wreckage the following morning. The glider wreckage was spread down the north face of Grand Teton Mountain beginning approximately 200 feet below the summit and extending down the mountain approximately 1,500 feet. A wing was identified as resting approximately 700 feet below the summit in the wreckage path.

At 1658, the Aviation Routine Weather Report for Jackson Hole Airport, 144 degrees at 8 miles from the accident site, was clear skies, visibility 10 statute miles, temperature 75 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point not reported, winds 240 degrees at 19 knots with gusts to 28 knots, and an altimeter setting of 30.18 inches of Mercury.