LAX88LA156

Factual narrative

THE FLIGHT DEPARTED VACAVILLE GLIDERPORT ON AN AERO TOW. THE PLT INTENDED TO FLY TO CALISTOGA, CA AND RETURN. AFTER PASSING ST. HELENA, CA, THE THERMAL ACTIVITY BEGAN TO DECREASE. THE PLT EXECUTED A 180 DEG TURN TO RETURN TO VACAVILLE. WHEN THE FLT WAS OVER ST. HELENA, THE THERMAL ACTIVITY DIMINISHED FURTHER AND THE PLT ELECTED TO EXECUTE A PRECAUTIONARY LNDG IN AN OPEN FLD. THE PREVAILING SURFACE WINDS WERE FROM THE NORTH & THE FLD HE SELECTED SLOPED UPWARD TO THE NORTH. THE PLT LANDED TO THE NORTH & DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT THE GLIDER STRUCK A DITCH WHICH CROSSED THE LANDING AREA. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12