# NTSB DEN81FA053: Let Blanik, N38928, Aspen, CO, July 26, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: July 26, 1981
- Place: Aspen, CO · ASPEN, CO
- Location: 39.1952° N, 106.8368° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Aspen, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1952&lon=-106.8368&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 13, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 123901
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN81FA053
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN81FA053

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2466  81/7/26    ASPEN,CO            LET BLANIK          CR-  1  0  0  MISCELLANEOUS             AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 1707                    N38928              PX-  1  0  0  OTHER                     36, 2500 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            UNK/NR IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - ASPEN PITKIN CO
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ASPEN,CO                    LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: SPIN                                              TAKEOFF: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INITIATED FLIGHT IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          BROKEN                                                    5000
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     RAIN SHOWERS
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      68
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          300                                                       10
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- WND GUSTS TO 20 KTS. ACFT RELEASED FRM TOW ACFT AT 200 FT,CRASHED DUR ATTMPTED RETURN TO AIRPORT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38928](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38928-2012-11-14), registration cancelled 2012-11-14, S/N 025325, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LET BLANIK
- Registry model: [Let BLANIK L-13](https://openairdocs.org/model/let-blanik-l-13) (registry code 1360306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Engines: none
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Aspen Pitkin Co

## 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 19810726044309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810726044309A), Jul 26, 1981: Let L13BLANIK, Aspen, CO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Made airplane glider tow takeoff with approaching thunderstorm. Severe turbulence. Released, lost control returning

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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