# NTSB CHI87LA002: Let L-13, N142AS, White Bear Lake, MN, October 8, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 8, 1986, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: White Bear Lake, MN
- Coordinates: 44.950263, -93.089149 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9503&lon=-93.0891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13676
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13676/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA002

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - spoiler retraction - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - utility pole

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR RWY 30 AT APRX 900 FT AND COMPLETED A RIGHT TURN TO BASE. THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE ON BASE, HE REALIZED THE AIRCRAFT WAS TOO HIGH AND DEPLOYED THE SPOILERS HALFWAY. AS HE TURNED TO FINAL, HE STATED THAT HE WAS TOO LOW AND AT THAT POINT OBSERVED THE AIRSPEED DROPPING TO THE STALL POINT. IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID A STALL, THE PLT LOWERED THE ACFT NOSE AND REALIZED THAT HE WOULD NOT MAKE THE ARPT. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE THEN FLEW UNDER POWER LINES AND DELIBERATELY STRUCK A POWER LINE POLE WITH THE RIGHT WING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 FT AGL, IN ORDER TO DISSAPATE ENERGY. APPROXIMATELY 10 FT OF THE OUTBOARD RIGHT WING WAS SEVERED FROM THE ACFT AS IT ROTATED 90 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT AND DROPPED ABOUT 15 FT BEFORE COMING TO REST IN A SWAMP ABOUT 200 YARDS FROM THE ARPT. A WITNESS STATED THAT HE CLEARLY OBSERVED THE GLIDER'S SPOILERS IN A FULLY DEPLOYED POSITION WHEN THE ACFT ROLLED OUT ON FINAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N142AS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N142AS-2014-09-05), registration cancelled 2014-09-05, S/N 027062, built 1978 (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: 027062
- Airframe hours: 910
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Red Wing Flying Assn. Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 22, 1986, 58 hours before
- Airport: 76Y, Benson Airport, runway 30, 2,000 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; student; seat: front; flight hours: 13 total, 13 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSP, 107 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 19861008048389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861008048389A), Oct 8, 1986: Let L13BLANIK, White Bear Lake, MN, Substantial damage. The glider undershot the runway and struck a pole. The student failed to retract spoilers on final.

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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