Event LAX04CA270

Factual narrative

On July 18, 2004, about 1530 Pacific daylight time, a PDPS PZL-BIELSKO SZD-50-3 glider, N19SZ, collided with a tree during landing at the Lone Pine Airport, Lone Pine, California. Associated Glider Clubs of Southern California, Inc., was operating the glider under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and one pilot-rated passenger were not injured; the glider sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local area flight. The glider departed through the assistance of a tow plane from the Lone Pine Airport about 1330. The pilot reported that during landing, the glider cleared a set of power lines. At 15 feet above ground level, the right wing impacted a tree branch; the glider spun around and came to rest 270 degrees from the original flight path. To prevent future accidents the pilot recommended flying a higher approach. The pilot noted no mechanical malfunctions with the glider prior to the accident. In a separate conversation, the pilot reported that he misjudged the clearance between the glider and the tree. During final, the glider drifted from the runway centerline to the right. The wing of the glider impacted the tree. The right wing was torn from the fuselage during the collision sequence. The glider collided with a tree during landing, and the right wing was torn from the fuselage. After clearing a set of power lines, the glider was 15 feet agl. The pilot saw a tree, and the glider drifted to the right of the runway centerline. He misjudged the clearance between the tree and the wing, and a collision occurred. The glider spun 270 degrees from its original flight path before coming to rest. The pilot recommended flying a higher approach to prevent future accidents. The pilot noted no mechanical malfunctions with the glider prior to the accident. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12