# NTSB CEN10CA507: Let L-23 Super Blanik, N361BA, Socorro, NM, August 28, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 28, 2010, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Socorro, NM - Coordinates: 34.016666, -106.900001 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0167&lon=-106.9000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern base: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 77129 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA507 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77129/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77129 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA507 ## Probable cause A loss of lift that resulted in an off-airport landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=1360308), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) - [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=1360308), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=1360308), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern base: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=1360308), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1360308), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to a written statement received from the Civil Air Patrol, and forwarded to the National Transportation Safety Board, the glider lost lift while preparing to land. The pilot selected an off-field landing location and during the landing attempt, encountered terrain and a fence that was not expected. The glider was substantially damaged during the impact. An examination of the glider and its systems, conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration, revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative According to a written statement received from the Civil Air Patrol, and forwarded to the National Transportation Safety Board, the glider lost lift while preparing to land. The pilot selected an off field landing location and during the landing attempt, encountered terrain and a fence that was not expected. The glider was substantially damaged during the impact. An examination of the glider and its systems, conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration, revealed no anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N361BA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N361BA), registered now, S/N 008703, built 2000 (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: 008703 - Airframe hours: 650 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Public use - Operator: Civil Air Patrol Inc - Registered owner: Civil Air Patrol Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 2010 - Departed: KONM, Socorro, NM - Destination: KONM, Socorro, NM - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: KONM, Socorro ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 3, 2009; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,469 total, 147 in this make and model, 2,269 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KONM ## 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 20100828054479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100828054479A), Aug 28, 2010: Let L-23 SUPER, Socorro, NM, Substantial damage. On August 30, 2010 at 1000MDT a blanik L-23, N361BA registered to civil air patrol, inc. landed short of the runway at Socorro Municipal Airport, Socorro, new… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 23, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77129. 125 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336709&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.