# NTSB ATL93LA097: Let L-13, N640RM, Elberta, AL, May 29, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1993, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Elberta, AL
- Coordinates: 30.40913, -87.599952 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4091&lon=-87.6000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3215
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA097
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3215/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA097

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - downdraft
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, ABOUT FIFTEEN  MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT, HE DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE POINT. UPON TURNING EASTWARD, HE ENCOUNTERED A CLOUD LAYER AT 4000 FEET. WHILE MANEUVERING AROUND THE CLOUDS, THE FLIGHT ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT, AT WHICH TIME, THE GLIDER DEVELOPED A 4000 FOOT PER MINUTE RATE OF DESCENT. THE PILOT MANAGED TO ARREST THE SINK RATE BUT THE GLIDER'S LEFT WINGTIP COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AS THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE REPORTED WITH THE GLIDER. THE PILOT DID NOT RECEIVE A WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT

## Factual narrative

On May 29, 1993 at 1615 central daylight time, a Blanik L-13 glider, N640RM, collided with the ground while attempting a precautionary landing near Elberta, Alabama. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the two occupants were not injured. The flight departed Elberta at 1500 hours.

According to the pilot, he was returning to Elberta, when he encountered cloud buildups and a loss of lifting activity. He elected to land in a field but encountered a downdraft on short final and collided with the ground. No mechanical problems were reported.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N640RM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N640RM-2022-06-04), registration cancelled 2022-06-04, S/N 025623, built 1973 (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: 025623
- Airframe hours: 1284
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Coastal Soaring Associates Inc
- Registered owner: Coastal Soaring Associates Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 4, 1993, 82 hours before
- Departed: A04

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial, military, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,300 total, 27 in this make and model, 1,600 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MOB, 32 nm away

## 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 19930529015489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930529015489A), May 29, 1993: Let L13BLANIK, Elberta, AL, Substantial damage. Encountered downdraft returning to base. Recovered near ground but wing tip hit ground.

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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