# NTSB ATL85FMG06: Let L-13, N96AS, Chester, SC, August 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1985, 16:10 local (20:10 UTC)
- Place: Chester, SC
- Coordinates: 34.699138, -81.209739 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6991&lon=-81.2097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6670
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FMG06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6670/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FMG06

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - flt control syst,wing spoiler system - binding(mechanical) (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

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 SPOILERS MAY HAVE MISLED HIM AS TO THE FLT POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N96AS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N96AS-2023-02-04), registration cancelled 2023-02-04, S/N 027020, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LET L-13
- Registry model: [Let BLANIK L-13](https://openairdocs.org/model/let-blanik-l-13) (registry code 1360306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 027020
- Airframe hours: 94
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bermuda High Soaring Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1985, 30 hours before
- Airport: 9A6, Chester Muncipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: front; flight hours: 244 total, 1 in this make and model, 112 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point -0 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850820043239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850820043239A), Aug 20, 1985: Let L13BLANIK, Chester, SC, Substantial damage. Landed in pine trees near end of runway. Misuse of spoilers probably caused landing to be short of runway.

## Other investigations on N96AS (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB IAD78FKW09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD78FKW09), Aug 2, 1978: Let-Np-K L-13 (N96AS), Benton, TN, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
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.