# NTSB CEN09CA269: Let L-23 Super Blanik, N238SB, Adrian, MI, April 26, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 26, 2009, 15:10 local (19:10 UTC)
- Place: Adrian, MI
- Coordinates: 41.867778, -84.077224 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8678&lon=-84.0772&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 14, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Detroit FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73750
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA269
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73750/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA269

## Probable cause

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.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Convective weather: thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03033010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03033010/cases.md?model=1360308), [All aircraft, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03033010/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=1360308), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md)
- [Aircraft capability: maximum crosswind component](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061015): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061015/cases.md?model=1360308), [All aircraft, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061015/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=1360308), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1360308), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=1360308), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390) (defining event); cases with it: [Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md?model=1360308), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402); cases with it: [Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md?model=1360308), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=1360308), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

Before the accident flight, the glider flight instructor observed adverse weather approaching the airport from the south. He wanted to demonstrate a crosswind landing to his student before ceasing glider operations due to the adverse weather. The glider released from the tow airplane around 1,000 feet above ground level and then proceeded on downwind for runway 29. While on final approach, the flight instructor had difficulty maintaining proper runway alignment due to a strong, gusting crosswind. As a result, he elected to land the glider in a grassy area immediately north of the runway. He noted that his forward visibility was limited by heavy rain. The glider impacted a taxiway sign during the landing, substantially damaging the left wing. Weather radar and surface observations indicated that the airport was affected by a thunderstorm shortly after the glider departed on the local area flight. The thunderstorm produced heavy rain, lightning, and strong winds. During the accident flight, the airport's automated surface observing system recorded a peak wind from 220 degrees magnetic at 42 knots. The glider's maximum demonstrated crosswind component for safe approach, landing and aerotow launching was 16 knots.

## Factual narrative

Before the accident flight, the glider flight instructor observed adverse weather approaching the airport from the south. He wanted to demonstrate a crosswind landing to his student before ceasing glider operations due to the adverse weather. The glider released from the tow airplane around 1,000 feet above ground level and then proceeded on downwind for runway 29. While on final approach, the flight instructor had difficulty maintaining proper runway alignment due to a strong, gusting crosswind. As a result, he elected to land the glider in a grassy area immediately north of the runway. He noted that his forward visibility was limited by heavy rain. The glider impacted a taxiway sign during the landing, substantially damaging the left wing. Weather radar and surface observations indicated that the airport was affected by a thunderstorm shortly after the glider departed on the local area flight. The thunderstorm produced heavy rain, lightning, and strong winds. During the accident flight, the airport's automated surface observing system recorded a peak wind from 220-degrees magnetic at 42 knots. The glider's maximum demonstrated crosswind component for safe approach, landing and aerotow launching was 16 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N238SB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N238SB-2024-12-07), registration cancelled 2024-12-07, S/N 928008 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LET L-23 Super Blanik
- Registry model: [Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK](https://openairdocs.org/model/let-l-23-super-blanik) (registry code 1360308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 928008
- Airframe hours: 1564
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Adrian Soaring Club, Inc.
- Registered owner: Adrian Soaring Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 8, 2008
- Departed: KADG, Adrian, MI
- Destination: KADG, Adrian, MI
- Airport: KADG, Lenawee County Airport, runway 29, 1,810 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 76; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; last flight review September 23, 2007; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,041 total, 400 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours
- Student pilot; age 41; injuries: none; seat: front; flight hours: 1 total, 1 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 16 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observed at: KADG

## 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 20090426011289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090426011289A), Apr 26, 2009: Let L23SUPERBLAN, Adrian, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) On Sunday April 26, 2009 at approximately 1500 (1900 gmt) at Adrian, MI (kadg) airport; robert a. schmall glider instructor (CFI certificate 2834470) for…

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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