LUCERNE VALLEY, CA, USA
N7710S
SCHWEIZER SGS1-26D
THE PLT REPORTED THAT HIS GLIDER WAS THE 3RD TO LAUNCH (USING AN AUTO TOW) ON A DISTANCE COMPLETION FLT. HE RELEASED THE TOW CABLE AT ABOUT 900 FT & BEGAN SEARCHING FOR LIFT. NO LIFT WAS FOUND. AFTER A SHORT TIME, HE ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE POINT. WHILE MANEUVERING AT LOW ALT ON BASE LEG, A THERMAL WAS ENCOUNTERED AND THE PLT'S VISIBILITY WAS MOMENTARILY RESTRICTED BY A DUST PLUME. AT ABOUT THAT TIME, THE GLIDER STALLED, ITS RIGHT WING TIP CONTACTED TERRAIN & IT CARTWHEELED. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE DIRECTION OF LAUNCH WAS CHANGED DUE TO A WIND SHIFT. THE PLT STATED, THE APCH 'WAS BAD PLANNING ON MY PART.'
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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