# NTSB CHI99LA220: Let Blanik L-13, N3209F, Sylvania, WI, July 9, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 8, 1999, 19:15 local (Jul 9, 1999, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Sylvania, WI
- Coordinates: 42.699626, -87.889556 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6996&lon=-87.8896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 46759
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA220
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46759/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA220

## Probable cause

the misjudged planned approach and the evasive maneuver attempted by the pilot-in-command.  A factor was the presence of trees.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - evasive maneuver - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) reported that she was demonstrating a landing approach in the glider without the use of dive-brakes. The CFI stated that that the glider landed long, and during the landing roll, it became evident that the aircraft would not stop before the end of the runway.  The CFI reported that in order to avoid overrunning into a corn field at the end of the runway, she deployed the dive-brakes and turned the aircraft to the right towards an open flat field.  The aircraft impacted between two trees on the right side of the runway.  Inspection of the wreckage revealed no pre-accident flight control anomalies.

## Factual narrative

On July 8, 1999, at 1915 central daylight time, a LET Blanik L-13, N3209F, piloted by a commercial flight instructor, received substantial damage during an on-ground collision with two trees while landing on Runway 26R (2,360 feet by 120 feet, dry/turf) at the Sylvania Airport, Sylvania, Wisconsin.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The local instructional flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan.  The Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) and dual student reported no injuries.  The flight departed the Sylvania Airport at 1845 and was landing at the time of the accident.

The CFI reported that she was demonstrating a landing approach without the use of dive-brakes.  The CFI stated that that the glider landed long and during the landing roll it became evident that the aircraft would not stop before the end of the runway.  The CFI reported that in order to avoid overrunning into a corn field, at the end of the runway, she deployed the dive-brakes, and turned the aircraft to the right towards an open flat field.  The aircraft impacted between two trees on the right side of the runway.

Inspection of the wreckage revealed no pre-accident flight control anomalies.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3209F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3209F-2001-09-25), registration cancelled 2001-09-25, S/N 026526 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Let BLANIK L-13 (BLANIK L-1)
- Registry model: [Let BLANIK L-13](https://openairdocs.org/model/let-blanik-l-13) (registry code 1360306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 26526
- Airframe hours: 1206
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Engel Charles L
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, August 26, 1998, 61 hours before
- Departed: C89
- Airport: C89, Sylvania Airport, runway 26, 2,360 × 120 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,063 total, 22 in this make and model, 1,023 as pilot in command, 76 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RAC, 7 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 19990708008529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990708008529A), Jul 8, 1999: Let L13BLANIK, Sturtevant, WI, Substantial damage. (Tty) student pilot was receiving instruction on a no-flap, no dive brake landing and realized the acft was too fast, and the acft struck 2 trees on the side…

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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