# NTSB investigations: Let BLANIK L-13 NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports. Page 2 of 3 · 129 cases ## Cases, newest first - [NTSB BFO92LA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA039.md): Let L-13 · Lock Haven, PA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 14, 1992 · N12CG · Destroyed > A tow rope that broke at low altitude. - [NTSB DEN91LA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA118.md): Let L-13 · Aspen, CO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 25, 1991 · N2238 · Substantial damage > The pilot turning off the runway with excessive speed. - [NTSB LAX91LA349](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA349.md): Let L-13 · Byron, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 4, 1991 · N53AS · Substantial damage > The on ground collision with a hidden ditch not visible to the pilot during the landing roll out phase of a forced landing. - [NTSB CHI91LA231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA231.md): Let L-13 · Gregory, MI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 26, 1991 · N781BA · Substantial damage > A collision with wires after the glider overshot the landing area due to inadvertent lowering of the flaps and no use of spoilers. - [NTSB SEA91LA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA147.md): Let L-13 · Driggs, ID · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 1, 1991 · N711KR · Substantial damage > The pilot misjudged his distance and altitude to the runway during the approach and failed to attain the proper touchdown point for landing. His lack of experience in the make and model of glider was a related factor. - [NTSB CHI90LA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA140.md): Let L-13 · Oxford, MI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 26, 1990 · N9297Z · Substantial damage > The glider pilot's failure to maintain adequate aircraft control during the touchdown and landing roll. The poorly executed approach to landing, and rough/uneven terrain were contributing factors in this accident. - [NTSB DEN89LA210](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA210.md): Let L-13 · Buena Vista, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 16, 1989 · N3458 · Substantial damage > A premature release of the glider tow line by the glider pilot and his failure to maintain sufficient airspeed, while maneuvering back toward the runway, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. - [NTSB LAX89LA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA145.md): Let L-13 · Hemet, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 1, 1989 · N82756 · Substantial damage > Inadequate crew coordination between the ground lineman and the blanik pilot, and failure of the blanik pilot to maintain clearance between his aircraft and the parked glider. A factor related to the accident was the proximity of the parked glider to the… - [NTSB LAX89LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA027.md): Let L-13 · Marana, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 29, 1988 · N90848 · Substantial damage > The pilot reported that shortly after liftoff from runway 26 the control stick became difficult to move. He decided to continue the air tow and release at 200 feet AGL after release, the pilot turned the glider to return to the runway to land. He was still… - [NTSB DEN87LA236](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA236.md): Let L-13 · Buena Vista, CO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 5, 1987 · N38924 · Substantial damage > The plt was ferrying the glider to Buena Vista, Colorado & had previously obtained permission to land on a closed rwy. After being towed to the Buena Vista area, he released the glider from the tow plane & flew in the local area for about 40 min. He then… - [NTSB FTW87LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA199.md): Let L-13 · Littlefield, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 16, 1987 · N9997Q · Substantial damage > The pilot activated the flaps while on final approach instead of the spoilers. When the glider did not descend as he expected, a left 360 degree turn was initiated to lose altitude. The pilot stated that he then unintentionally stalled the aircraft while in… - [NTSB FTW87LA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA186.md): Let L-13 · Hempstead, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 2, 1987 · N78AS · Substantial damage > Acft landed short of threshold following a low release shortly after t/o. release was low due to tow plane's being unable to climb above 200' AGL due to the glider's spoilers being deployed inadvertently during the t/o. the plt stated that he executed a 270… - [NTSB MIA87LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA199.md): Let L-13 · Plymouth, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 31, 1987 · N99946 · Substantial damage > The plt misread the altimeter by 1000 ft when the flt entered the initial point of the traffic pattern. He then began circling to dissipate alt & realized that the acft was low. He then proceeded downwind, turned base then final & landed hard buckling the… - [NTSB MIA87LA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA108.md): Let L-13 · Brooksville, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 14, 1987 · N68PE · Substantial damage > On final apch, with full flaps extended, the glider began to float down the rwy. The plt then retracted them, after which, it descended, collided with a fence, & came to rest in a field. - [NTSB CHI87LA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA002.md): Let L-13 · White Bear Lake, MN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 8, 1986 · N142AS · Substantial damage > The plt reported that he entered the traffic pattern for rwy 30 at aprx 900 ft and completed a right turn to base. The plt stated that while on base, he realized the aircraft was too high and deployed the spoilers halfway. As he turned to final, he stated… - [NTSB SEA86LA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA209.md): Let L-13 · Issaquah, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 24, 1986 · N65141 · Substantial damage > Plt undershot approach after encountering downdraft, collided with perimeter fence. - [NTSB MIA86LA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA166.md): Let L-13 · Pensacola, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 26, 1986 · N11TR · Substantial damage > The pvt glider plt with a total of 47 hours of flt time departed his local field with one passenger. At about 2000 ft AGL he disengaged the aero tow and proceeded to glide for about one hour. The plt stated that when he started back to his local airport and… - [NTSB CHI86LA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86LA133.md): Let L-13 · Gregory, MI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 27, 1986 · N30LH · Substantial damage > The pilot stated that during landing the right wing of the glider touched the ground causing a right turn. The left wing then caught on a truck tire causing a 70 degree turn to the left. The glider was stopped when the right wing struck a barn. He was later… - [NTSB MIA86LA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA070.md): Let L-13 · Brooksville, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 2, 1986 · N26TS · Substantial damage > The pilot stated that he encountered sinking air & was unable to make the arpt. He also stated that he was operating east of the arpt & that a seabreeze wind from the west existed at the time of the accident. The effective glide ratio of a glider is reduced… - [NTSB ATL85LKG11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LKG11.md): Let L-13 · Huntsville, AL · Accident · Minor injuries · Final report · Aug 24, 1985 · N99954 · Substantial damage > The commercial plt was in training for a glider rating & was on a supervised solo flt to practice a landing. During the traffic pattern, he rolled out hi on final & extended the spoilers to adjust to the desired glide path, then retracted the spoilers to the… - [NTSB ATL85FMG06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FMG06.md): Let L-13 · Chester, SC · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Aug 20, 1985 · N96AS · Substantial damage > The glider landed about 150 ft short of the rwy on the plts 1st solo in this acft. He said he noticed a rapid drop in alt at 55 mph on final approach and began to change spoiler position to compensate. He complained that the stiffness of the operation of the… - [NTSB CHI85LA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA247.md): Let L-13 · Gregory, MI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 23, 1985 · N14420 · Substantial damage > The glider landed in trees after the spoiler 'popped' open in flt during a towed takeoff. The tow plane released the glider at 300 ft AGL after the spoilers opened. The plt landed without retracting the spoilers. Two FAA inspectors stated that they checked… - [NTSB MIA85LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA030.md): Let L-13 · Homestead, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 10, 1984 · N8208 · Substantial damage > According to the plt, a downdraft was encountered on base leg causing the acft to descend and decelerate. Unable to reach the rwy the glider landed in an orchard. - [NTSB CHI84LA409](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA409.md): Let L-13 · Gregory, MI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 29, 1984 · N14420 · Substantial damage > According to the CFI the glider was at about 500 ft AGL on base leg when a downdraft caused the acft to descend and touch down 50 ft short of the rwy. - [NTSB ATL84LA300](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA300.md): Let L-13 · Warrenton, VA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 25, 1984 · N14YA · Substantial damage > The plt inadvertantly deployed the flaps on final apch instead of the spoilers. The glider overshot the airstrip touching down in rough terrain off the departure end. - [NTSB LAX84LA386](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA386.md): Let L-13 · Llano, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 9, 1984 · N99966 · Substantial damage > According to the plt, the glider did not sink as fast as expected on the downwind leg, so he extended flaps to 30 to 40 deg, used spoilers & extended the downwind. On base leg he entered an area of high sink; therefore, he closed the spoilers & angled toward… - [NTSB DEN84FA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84FA161.md): Let L-13 · Edgewood, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 26, 1984 · N48032 · Destroyed > Witnesses reported that the acft appeared to be too high, too fast, and in a crab as it approached the rwy. Over the rwy the glider was observed to roll into a right turn as the nose came up. Shortly thereafter the right wing struck 3 parked acft and collided… - [NTSB LAX84LA297](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA297.md): Let L-13 · El Mirage, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 18, 1984 · N3204F · Substantial damage > The glider plt reported that after a release from the tow line, he had difficulty finding lift. He concentrated on finding lift so much that he became disoriented with respect to the rwy. When he elected to return to the arpt, he inadvertently selected a… - [NTSB LAX84LA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA091.md): Let L-13 · Jacumba, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 3, 1983 · N711KR · Substantial damage > The acft collided with a bush and groundlooped short of the rwy. The wind was unusually strong and the glider plt stated he misjudged its effect and should have flown the base leg closer. The acft landed short of the rwy and ground looped. - [NTSB NYC83LA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA190.md): Let L-13 · Fredericksburg, PA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 24, 1983 · N32360 · Substantial damage > After lift-off from a tow takeoff, the towplane was unable to attain the normal tow airspeed of 65 to 75 mph & continuedat about 55 mph. The glider plt thought the towplane was having engine problems, & as the two acft circled the arpt, theglider plt released… - [NTSB ATL83LA226](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA226.md): Let L-13 · Warrenton, VA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 10, 1983 · N90626 · Substantial damage > The pilot stated that this was his third flt of the day and his first in this particular acft. He misjudged his glide path and landed about 100 feet short of the runway. The glider rolled into the creek and the nose impacted about 2 feet below the top of the… - [NTSB LAX83LA234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA234.md): Let L-13 · California City, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 2, 1983 · N99965 · Substantial damage > During flt, the glider sustained in-flt structural damage while maneuvering at an altitude of aprx 17,500 ft MSL in the vicinity of California City, CA. During a preliminary verbal statement to an FAA inspector, the plt stated that he had done a couple of… - [NTSB LAX82DVG32](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DVG32.md): Blanik L-13 · Chico, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · Aug 28, 1982 · N66JP · Substantial damage > The glider pilot reported that after he disengaged from the aerial tow, he was unable to find any of the expected conditions of lift. As altitude was lost, he elected to land in a vineyard. During the landing, the glider was damaged and the pilot received a… - [NTSB LAX82DA254](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA254.md): Blanik L-13 · Murrieta, CA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Jul 11, 1982 · N90639 · Substantial damage > Pilot landed short of runway in a glider and impacted the ground at high speed with high sink rate. He had released early from an aerotow and descended at high airspeed with dive brakes open which accelerated his rate of sink. He was not injured in the… - [NTSB SEA82DA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82DA092.md): Blanik L-13 · Driggs, ID · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Jun 18, 1982 · N99954 · Substantial damage > The pilot held a commercial, airline transport certificate, but had only a student glider certificate. During a towed takeoff, witnesses observed the spoilers extend after about 200 ft of ground roll. The tow pilot gave an arm signal to indicate a problem.… - [NTSB CHI82DA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA177.md): Blanik L-13 · Warren, MN · Accident · Minor injuries · Final report · May 20, 1982 · N99805 · Substantial damage > The pilot was having difficulty controlling the glider during the tow and released prematurely. The destination was 12 to 14 miles away with 10-15 kt headwinds. When the pilot decided the destination could not be made a road was selected for a forced landing… - [NTSB FTW82FQA18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FQA18.md): Blanik L-13 · Los Lunas, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · May 8, 1982 · N48032 · Substantial damage > During landing the left wing struck a bystander who wandered onto the edge of the asphalt overrun taking photographs of the landing. There is a caution sign posted on the north access road of the runway. - [NTSB CHI81DEC41](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81DEC41.md): Blanik L-13 · Oxford, MI · Accident · Minor injuries · Closed · Aug 19, 1981 · N3462 · Substantial damage - [NTSB DEN81FA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN81FA053.md): Let Blanik · Aspen, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Jul 26, 1981 · N38928 · Destroyed - [NTSB LAX81FVD19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FVD19.md): Blanik L-13 · Fremont, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Closed · Apr 12, 1981 · N53AS · Substantial damage - [NTSB LAX80FUG49](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FUG49.md): Blanik L-13 · Adelanto, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Closed · Jul 26, 1980 · N3465 · Substantial damage - [NTSB CHI80DEP41](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI80DEP41.md): Blanik L-13 · Middleton, WI · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Jul 16, 1980 · N90889 · Substantial damage - [NTSB SEA79DYE26](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79DYE26.md): Let Blanik L-13 · Issaquah, WA · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Jun 2, 1979 · N93465 · Substantial damage - [NTSB NYC79FHJ11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC79FHJ11.md): Blanik L-13 · Shirley, NY · Accident · No injuries · Closed · May 6, 1979 · N48037 · Substantial damage - [NTSB MIA79FLD54](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79FLD54.md): Blanik L-13 · Clearwater, FL · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Mar 30, 1979 · N83AS · Substantial damage - [NTSB FTW79FRA09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FRA09.md): Blanik L-13 · Cypress, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Mar 18, 1979 · N100GH · Destroyed - [NTSB FTW79DRA01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79DRA01.md): Let-Np-K L-13 · Cypress, TX · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Oct 22, 1978 · N84AS · Substantial damage - [NTSB NYC79FNC03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC79FNC03.md): Let-Np-K L-13 · Warren, VT · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Oct 7, 1978 · N90598 · Substantial damage - [NTSB SEA78DYE35](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78DYE35.md): Let-Np-K L-13 · Issaquah, WA · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Aug 13, 1978 · N9244Z · Substantial damage - [NTSB IAD78FKW09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD78FKW09.md): Let-Np-K L-13 · Benton, TN · Accident · Minor injuries · Closed · Aug 2, 1978 · N96AS · Substantial damage Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?model=1360306&page=3 ## The whole list in SQL Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS: ```sql SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('1360306')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?model=1360306&page=2 --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.