# NTSB CHI82DA177: Blanik L-13, N99805, Warren, MN, May 20, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1982, 14:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Warren, MN
- Coordinates: 48.190502, -96.759201 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1905&lon=-96.7592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 20, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72956
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72956/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA177

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, cruise - normal
  - elevator - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - premature, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE GLIDER DURING THE TOW AND RELEASED PREMATURELY. THE DESTINATION WAS 12 TO 14 MILES AWAY WITH 10-15 KT HEADWINDS. WHEN THE PILOT DECIDED THE DESTINATION COULD NOT BE MADE A ROAD WAS SELECTED FOR A FORCED LANDING BECAUSE LOCAL FIELDS WERE SOFT AND MUDDY. AT A LOW ALTITUDE THE TOW PILOT WARNED OF A TRUCK ON THE ROAD AND THE GLIDER PILOT DIVERTED TO A NEARBY FIELD. THE WING COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE GLIDER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99805](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99805-2005-05-12), registration cancelled 2005-05-12, S/N 026509 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BLANIK L-13
- Registry model: [Let BLANIK L-13](https://openairdocs.org/model/let-blanik-l-13) (registry code 1360306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 026509
- Airframe hours: 300
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: N.D. State College
- Registered owner: N.D. State College
- Departed: GRAND FORKS, ND
- Destination: WARREN, MN
- Airport: D-37, Warren

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,057 total, 10 in this make and model, 283 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 147 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820520017609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820520017609A), May 20, 1982: Let L13BLANIK, Warren, MI, Substantial damage. Due to premature tow line release sail plane crashed during off airport landing.

## Other investigations on N99805 (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 DEN03LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA001), Oct 3, 2002: Let Blanik L-13 (N99805), Morgan, UT, destroyed. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate inflight planning and decision which resulted in an unsuitable off-field landing site. A contributing factor was downdraft weather conditions.

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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