# NTSB ATL85LKG11: Let L-13, N99954, Huntsville, AL, August 24, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1985, 16:05 local (21:05 UTC)
- Place: Huntsville, AL
- Location: 34.7474° N, 86.4610° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MOONTOWN (3M5), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7474&lon=-86.4610&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6885
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LKG11
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6885/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LKG11

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - habit interference, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

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 50% POSITION. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, HE REALIZED HE WAS LOW & RETRACTED THE SPOILERS. HOWEVER, HE WAS UNABLE TO GLIDE TO THE RWY. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE GLIDER COLLIDED WITH A HEDGE ROW ABOUT 50 FT SHORT OF THE RWY. THE PLT FELT THAT HIS EXPERIENCE FLYING POWERED ACFT MAY HAVE INTERFERED WITH HIS TRAINING IN GLIDERS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99954](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99954-2013-03-25), registration cancelled 2013-03-25, S/N 025905, built 1974 (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: 025905
- Engines: none L-13 unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Hunstville Soaring Club
- Registered owner: Sale Reported
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, July 11, 1985
- Airport: 3M5, Sky Park

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 955 total, 3 in this make and model, 692 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft unknown

## 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 19850824046889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850824046889A), Aug 24, 1985: Let L13BLANIK, Huntsville, AL, Substantial damage. Glider student descended too low and struck hedge row short of runway.

## Other investigations on N99954 (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 SEA82DA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82DA092), Jun 18, 1982: Blanik L-13 (N99954), Driggs, ID, 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.

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