# NTSB investigations: Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK 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. ## Latest cases - [NTSB WPR26LA271](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA271.md): Let L-23 Super Blanik · North Plains, OR · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Investigation open · Jul 18, 2026 · N922SB · Substantial damage - [NTSB ERA25LA336](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA336.md): Let L-23 Super Blanik · Ridgeland, SC · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 6, 2025 · N231LS · Substantial damage > The pilot’s exceedance of the glider’s critical angle of attack which resulted in a loss of control while maneuvering to return for landing after a runway overshoot. - [NTSB CEN23LA254](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA254.md): Let L-23 Super Blanik · Gregory, MI · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 21, 2023 · N10BR · Substantial damage > The flight instructor’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the glider’s critical angle of attack, leading to an aerodynamic stall during the off-field landing. - [NTSB WPR23LA362](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA362.md): Let L-23 Super Blanik · Minden, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 3, 2023 · N438BA · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, resulting in an impact with a taxiway sign. - [NTSB CEN22LA279](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA279.md): Let L-23 Super Blanik · Yoder, KS · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 22, 2022 · N364BA · Substantial damage > The pilot's encounter with sinking air conditions that resulted in a loss of lift and a subsequent loss of control. - [NTSB ERA21LA327](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA327.md): Let L-23 Super Blanik · Sterling, MA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 31, 2021 · N373BA · Minor damage > The flight instructor’s lack of remedial action, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall in the landing flare and a hard landing. - [NTSB ERA21LA242](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA242.md): Let L-23 Super Blanik · Pittsfield, PA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 31, 2021 · N912B · Substantial damage > The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and loss of directional control. - [NTSB ERA20CA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA116.md): Let L 23 Super Blanik · Huntsville, AL · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 1, 2020 · N296BA · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain glider control and his exceedance of the glider's critical angle of attack while maneuvering in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. - [NTSB CEN18FA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA217.md): Let L 23 Super Blanik · Moose, WY · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 9, 2018 · N317BA · Destroyed > The pilot's encounter with atmospheric conditions that resulted in a loss of lift and a subsequent loss of control near terrain that precluded recovery. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to follow the operator's published tour flight… - [NTSB GAA18CA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA093.md): Let L 23 Super Blanik · Clermont, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 23, 2017 · N389BA · Substantial damage > The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing flare. - [NTSB GAA17CA566](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA566.md): Let L 23 Super Blanik · Hampshire, IL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 30, 2017 · N260BA · Substantial damage > The pilot’s improper landing flare and subsequent failure to maintain directional control during landing. - [NTSB GAA17CA477](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA477.md): Let L 23 Super Blanik · Homestead, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 30, 2017 · N304MG · Substantial damage > The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, which resulted in the pilot landing short of the intended runway. - [NTSB GAA17CA427](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA427.md): Let L23 · Deatsville, AL · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 21, 2017 · N342BA · Substantial damage > The student pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees and power lines while landing. - [NTSB GAA15CA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA028.md): Let L23 - NO Series · Los Alamitos, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 29, 2015 · N381BA · Substantial damage > The inadvertent deployment of the air brakes during initial climb, resulting in a loss of lift. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to identify and remediate the cause. - [NTSB ERA14LA391](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA391.md): Let L 23 Super Blanik · Sylacauga, AL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 17, 2014 · N266SE · Substantial damage > The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's failure to properly assess her physical condition prior to conducting the flight. - [NTSB ERA14LA341](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA341.md): Let L 23 Super Blanik · Warm Springs, GA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 14, 2014 · N400AZ · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage > The failure of the flight instructor to move his glider from an active runway in accordance with procedures due to his distraction by having a conversation with the air boss, which resulted in the landing glider colliding with the glider on the runway. - [NTSB ERA14CA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA088.md): Let L 23 Super Blanik · Clermont, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 15, 2013 · N321BA · Substantial damage > The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. - [NTSB ERA12CA454](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA454.md): Let L-23 Super Blanik · Benton, TN · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 28, 2012 · N273BA · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadvertent extension of the wing airbrakes, which resulted in a loss of lift and subsequent landing prior to the runway. - [NTSB CEN10CA507](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA507.md): Let L-23 Super Blanik · Socorro, NM · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 28, 2010 · N361BA · Substantial damage > A loss of lift that resulted in an off-airport landing. - [NTSB CEN09CA269](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA269.md): Let L-23 Super Blanik · Adrian, MI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 26, 2009 · N238SB · Substantial damage > The flight instructor's inadequate compensation for the strong, gusting crosswind during landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's decision to attempt flight with known adverse weather approaching the airport. - [NTSB NYC07CA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA151.md): Let Super Blanik L-23 · Warren, VT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 27, 2007 · N8022 · Substantial damage > The glider's inadvertent encounter with windshear. A factor was the outflow from a nearby thunderstorm. - [NTSB ANC07CA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC07CA005.md): Letecky Zavody L-23 Super Blanik · Chugiak, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 10, 2006 · N394BA · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the glider while landing in gusty crosswind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing and structural damage to the fuselage. Factors associated with the accident were turbulence, a crosswind and wind gusts, and… - [NTSB LAX06TA234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06TA234.md): Let Super Blanik L-23 · Los Alamitos, CA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Jul 11, 2006 · N381BA · Substantial damage > failure of the winch operator to maintain an adequate winch tow speed, resulting in a stall and hard landing. - [NTSB MIA03LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03LA022.md): Let L-23 · Groveland, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 29, 2002 · N41BW · Substantial damage > the pilot's failure to extend the dive brakes during approach and his excessive airspeed and improper landing flare which resulted in the airplane nosing down and impacting with the runway. - [NTSB NYC02LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02LA046.md): Let L-23 · Sterling, MA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 1, 2002 · N117BB · Substantial damage > The student pilots inadequate compensation for wind conditions which resulted in an off-field landing, and the CFI's improper decision to allow the student to fly solo. Factors related to the accident were the gusting wind conditions, and the students lack of… - [NTSB SEA01LA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA091.md): Let L-23 · Arlington, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 5, 2001 · N265BA · Substantial damage > the flight instructor's improper decision to partially retract the spoilers while the student was attempting to land. Factors include a tailwind, wet grass, and a taxiway sign off the end of the landing area. - [NTSB FTW00LA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA219.md): Let L-23 Super Blankit · Waller, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 29, 2000 · N105LW · Destroyed > the pilot's failure to maintain control of the glider while maneuvering. Contributory factors were the in-flight separation of the tow rope and the pilot's physical impairment from his use of diphenhyrdramine. - [NTSB MIA99LA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA197.md): Let L-23 · Jacksonville, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 15, 1999 · N254BA · Substantial damage > the pilot's improper in-flight decisions allowing the glider to descend to a low altitude, resulting in a forced landing off the airport and subsequent impact with a tree. - [NTSB NYC98LA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA097.md): Let L-23 Super Blanik · Pipersville, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 21, 1998 · N298BA · Substantial damage > the pilot's misjudgment of distance and altitude, while on an approach to an off-airport landing area, which resulted in a lack of airspeed and/or altitude to reach the intended landing area (undershoot), a stall or mush into tree(s), and collision with a… - [NTSB IAD98LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98LA046.md): Let L-23 · New Castle, VA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 12, 1998 · N55BR · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the turn to reverse direction. A factor was his improper use of the speed brake. - [NTSB FTW97LA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA054.md): Let L23 · Bryan, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 2, 1996 · N290SB · Substantial damage > the pilot misjudged his distance and altitude during the landing approach. Factors relating to the accident were: the high obstructions (power lines), and subsequent tailwind during the forced landing. - [NTSB CHI96LA339](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA339.md): Piper PA-25 · Highland, IL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 14, 1996 · N7753Z · 2 aircraft · Minor damage > failure of the Piper PA-25 tow pilot to see-and-avoid the Blanik L-23 glider. A factor relating to the accident was: neither aircraft was equipped with a communication radio. - [NTSB MIA96LA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA045.md): Let L-23 · Jacksonville, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 16, 1995 · N254BA · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to properly plan the flight. - [NTSB ATL95LA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA093.md): Let L-23 Super Blanik · Spartanburg, SC · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 29, 1995 · N152AT · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadvertent use speed brakes during takeoff. - [NTSB FTW94LA250](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA250.md): Let L-23 · Stillwater, OK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 24, 1994 · N923SB · Substantial damage > The certified flight instructor's failure to maintain flying speed. ## 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 ('1360308')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?model=1360308 --- 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.