Rolladen-Schneider LS3-A accident near Callahan, California, June 24, 1985
On June 24, 1985 at about 11:30 pm local time, a Rolladen-Schneider LS3-A (glider), registered N31JN, was destroyed in an accident near Callahan, California. It was a flight of an unrecorded kind under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 24, 1985 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Callahan, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Rolladen-Schneider LS3-A
- Registration
- N31JN · no longer on the register · serial 3353
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Flight of an unrecorded kind · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PLT WAS PARTICIPATING IN A X-COUNTRY SOARING COMPETITION. HE RELEASED FROM THE TOW AT 5,000 FT ABOVE SEA LEVEL. ABOUT ONE HOUR LATER HE IMFORMED HIS CREW BY RADIO THAT HE HAD COVERED 80 PERCENT OF THE FIRST LEG AND THAT HE WAS 'DOING FINE.' THE FLT DID NOT RETURN AND THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND THE FOLLOWING MORNING 35 MILES SOUTH OF THE DEPARTURE POINT. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A PRE-IMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE SAIL-PLANE. THE PLT WAS CERTIFICATED AND QUALIFIED FOR THE FLT. OTHER CONTESTANTS REPORTED THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR WITH STRONG, GUSTY SURFACE WINDS.
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
- Ratings: rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 215 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (expired)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 17, 1985
- Maximum gross weight: 1,040 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SIY Montague CA at 9:37 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 10°F (-12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
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.
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.