# NTSB CHI84LA409: Let L-13, N14420, Gregory, MI, September 29, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 29, 1984, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Gregory, MI
- Coordinates: 42.44992, -84.079109 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4499&lon=-84.0791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12790
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA409
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12790/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA409

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - downdraft
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command(cfi)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command(cfi)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE CFI THE GLIDER WAS AT ABOUT 500 FT AGL ON BASE LEG WHEN A DOWNDRAFT CAUSED THE ACFT TO DESCEND AND TOUCH DOWN 50 FT SHORT OF THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N14420](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N14420), registered now, S/N 175114, built 1981 (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: 175114
- Engines: none NOT INST. unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richmond Soaring Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 1984
- Airport: 69G, Richmond, runway 36, 2,000 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 929 total, 2 in this make and model, 719 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DTW, 34 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 19840929056669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840929056669A), Sep 29, 1984: Let L13BLANIK, Gregory, MI, Substantial damage. Glider crashed short of runway due to downdraft and pilot misjudgment.

## Other investigations on N14420 (2)

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 MIA05LA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA05LA077), Mar 13, 2005: Let Blanik L-13 (N14420), DeLand, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient airspeed during landing, resulting in an inadvertent stall, undershoot and collision with the ground.
- [NTSB CHI85LA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA247), Jun 23, 1985: Let L-13 (N14420), Gregory, MI, 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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