# NTSB DEN87LA236: Let L-13, N38924, Buena Vista, CO, September 5, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1987, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Buena Vista, CO
- Coordinates: 38.83041, -106.140495 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8304&lon=-106.1405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17308
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA236
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17308/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA236

## 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
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS FERRYING THE GLIDER TO BUENA VISTA, COLORADO & HAD PREVIOUSLY OBTAINED PERMISSION TO LAND ON A CLOSED RWY. AFTER BEING TOWED TO THE BUENA VISTA AREA, HE RELEASED THE GLIDER FROM THE TOW PLANE & FLEW IN THE LOCAL AREA FOR ABOUT 40 MIN. HE THEN DSCNDD & LANDED ON A SOD STRIP BESIDE THE PAVED RWY. WHILE LANDING, HE STEARED THE GLIDER TO THE WEST TO AVOID ACFT THAT HAD BEEN ASSEMBLED & PARKED ON AN APRON. RPRTDLY, HE ALLOWED THE GLIDER TO GET TOO CLOSE TO THE EDGE OF THE STRIP. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE TAIL OF THE GLIDER HIT AN OLD TIRE, DAMAGING THE ELEVATORS & REAR-MOST BULKHEAD OF THE TAIL SECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38924](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38924-2017-06-22), registration cancelled 2017-06-22, S/N 025319, built 1972 (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: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 025319
- Airframe hours: 1852
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Denver Soaring Council, Inc.
- Registered owner: Denver Soaring Council
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 6, 1986
- Departed: 1V5, BOULDER, CO
- Airport: 7V1, Buena Vista, runway 14, 4,700 × 30 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; seat: front; flight hours: 93 total, 62 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F

## Other investigations on N38924 (1)

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 FTW95LA405](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA405), Sep 24, 1995: Let Blanik L-13 (N38924), Como, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT ALLOWING THE GLIDER TO DEVELOP AN EXCESSIVE DESCENT RATE. A FACTOR WAS THE PREMATURE AND AUTOMATIC DISENGAGEMENT OF THE WINCH-TOW SYSTEM.

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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