Schleicher ASW-20 accident near Idyllwild, California, June 15, 2003
On June 15, 2003 at about 10:00 pm local time, a Schleicher ASW-20 (glider), registered N34LB, was substantially damaged in an accident near Idyllwild, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The combined effects of a loss of thermal lift and a gust induced loss of airspeed at a low above ground altitude, which resulted in a descent to impact with trees. The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate terrain clearance margin while cruising in mountainous terrain was a factor.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 15, 2003 · about 10:00 pm local time
- Place
- Idyllwild, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schleicher ASW-20 · all ASW-20s on the register
- Registration
- N34LB · registry record · serial 20342
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The glider impacted trees after a loss of thermal lift during gusty wind conditions. After the glider was released from the tow plane, the pilot made repeated attempts to ascend a mountain; however, insufficient thermals were found to accomplish the climb. On the third attempt, the airspeed suddenly went from 55 to 40 knots and the glider lost 100 to 200 feet. The pilot lowered the nose to prevent a stall. There was a dead tree to the left of the glider and the pilot executed a nose down, right turn downslope in order to maintain speed and regain terrain clearance. Shortly thereafter, the wings collided with trees and were sheared from the fuselage. The fuselage went through the two trees and came to rest inverted. The pilot stated that there were no control problems noted with the glider.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Flight time: 1,025 hours in all; 750 in this make and model; 31 in the last 90 days; 31 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: None
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 1,000 lb
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine:; 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: HMT Hemet Ryan CA at 7:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 12 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 29.85 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from KRAL
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N34LB the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.