# NTSB CHI85LA247: Let L-13, N14420, Gregory, MI, June 23, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1985, 12:51 local (16:51 UTC)
- Place: Gregory, MI
- Coordinates: 42.310218, -84.019958 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3102&lon=-84.0200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13107
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA247
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13107/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA247

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - to cruise
  - spoiler extension - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - qualification, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spoiler retraction - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - in-flight planning/decision - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - qualification, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE GLIDER LANDED IN TREES AFTER THE SPOILER 'POPPED' OPEN IN FLT DURING A TOWED TAKEOFF.  THE TOW PLANE RELEASED THE GLIDER AT 300 FT AGL AFTER THE SPOILERS OPENED.  THE PLT LANDED WITHOUT RETRACTING THE SPOILERS.  TWO FAA INSPECTORS STATED THAT THEY CHECKED THE SPOILERS OPERATION AND THEY OPERATED NORMALLY.

## 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
- Airframe hours: 1533
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sandhill Soaring Club Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 1985, 0 hours before
- Airport: 69G, Richmond

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; medical: unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 23 total, 2 in this make and model, 16 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 18 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ARB, 23 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 19850623029449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850623029449A), Jun 23, 1985: Let L13BLANIK, Gregory, MI, Substantial damage. Inadvertent deployment of spoilers during takeoff. Released by tow plane and landing made in trees.

## 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 CHI84LA409](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA409), Sep 29, 1984: 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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