NTSB CAROL · Event
Event LAX87LA109
Aircraft involved
Factual narrative
DURING A LOCAL SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT, THE PILOT WAS FLYING SOUTH APPROXIMATELY 300-500 FT ABOVE THE RIDGE LOOKING FOR LIFT. THE PILOT COULD NOT FIND SUFFICIENT LIFT IN THE AREA EAST OF THE RIDGE SO HE FLEW TO THE WEST SIDE WHERE THE GLIDER ENCOUNTERED A STRONG DOWN DRAFT. DUE TO THE LOSS OF ALTITUDE, THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON A ROAD THAT WAS LINED WITH GRAPEVINES. THE FUSELAGE REMAINED CENTERED ON THE ROAD, HOWEVER, THE WINGS COLLIDED WITH THE LINING GRAPEVINES. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12
Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file
NTSB_1987_LAX87LA109.txt.
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