Event LAX98LA147

Factual narrative

On April 28, 1998, at 1315 hours mountain standard time, a Schweizer SGS-1-35, N34187, crashed after premature release of the tow rope and impacted a ditch. The glider sustained substantial damage, and the pilot/owner, the sole occupant, suffered serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight and no flight plan was filed. In a written statement from the pilot towing the glider, he reported that the takeoff and initial climb were normal. About 450 feet agl, the glider pilot moved out of position to the right, which caused the tow plane to yaw hard to the left. After bringing the glider back to the normal tow position, the glider veered rapidly to the right. The tow plane yawed hard to the left and the towrope snapped while at an altitude of approximately 700 feet agl. The tow pilot reported that it is their usual practice to release the towrope at 2,000 feet agl. The tow pilot then returned to the airport for landing. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector from the Scottsdale, Arizona, Flight Standards District Office, witnesses reported that during takeoff they saw the glider veer to the right and saw the tow line break. As the glider pilot attempted to return to the airport to land, it impacted a ditch that ran between the two runways. Rescue workers reported that the pilot was incoherent and they suspected that he had suffered a stroke. One witness reported that the pilot had medical problems that prohibited him from flying more than 2 hours at a time. The pilot did not possess a medical certificate. FAA Regulation Part 61.103 states that a private pilot with a glider rating has only to "certify that he has no known medical defect that makes him unable to pilot a glider or free balloon, as appropriate." The pilot spent approximately 1 month in the hospital for various injuries inflicted from the accident. His wife reported that he has no memory of the accident. She also reported that she was unable to find any aircraft or pilot logbooks. The pilot's family sold the glider and no further examination was possible. The pilot towing the glider reported that after takeoff, the glider veered to the right. The tow plane yawed hard to the left and the towrope snapped while at an altitude of approximately 700 feet agl. Witnesses reported that as the glider pilot attempted to return to the airport to land, it impacted a ditch that ran between the two runways. Rescue workers reported that the pilot was incoherent and they suspected that he had suffered a stroke. One witness reported that the pilot had medical problems that prohibited him from flying more than 2 hours at a time. The pilot did not possess a medical certificate, nor is he required to. The pilot spent approximately 1 month in the hospital and has no memory of the accident. His wife was unable to find any aircraft or pilot logbooks. The pilot's family sold the glider and no further examination was possible. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12