# NTSB DEN89LA210: Let L-13, N3458, Buena Vista, CO, September 16, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1989, 18:30 local (Sep 16, 1989, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Buena Vista, CO
- Coordinates: 38.829254, -106.140892 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8293&lon=-106.1409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 10, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17777
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA210
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17777/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA210

## Probable cause

A PREMATURE RELEASE OF THE GLIDER TOW LINE BY THE GLIDER PILOT AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED, WHILE MANEUVERING BACK TOWARD THE RUNWAY, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - glider/tow release - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS GIVING A PASSENGER A GLIDER RIDE. THE FLT WAS LAUNCHED FROM A 9000 FT RWY (RWY 15) WITH AN AUTO TOW IN WIND THAT WAS FROM 300 DEG AT 4 KTS. A WITNESS RPRTD THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF SEEMED NORMAL UNTIL THE PLT RELEASED THE GLIDER AT ABOUT 300 FT AGL. THE PLT THEN BEGAN A LEVEL LEFT TURN WITH INCREASING BANK. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE GLIDER PITCHED DOWN & CRASHED AFTER COMPLETING ABOUT 300 DEG OF TURN. IMPACT OCCURRED ON AN INCLINED BANK AS THE GLIDER WAS IN AN EXTREME NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3458](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3458-1992-10-23), registration cancelled 1992-10-23, S/N 174216 (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)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 174216
- Airframe hours: 680
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Chuck Gibbs
- Registered owner: Robin M Gibbs
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, July 13, 1989, 30 hours before
- Departed: 7V1
- Destination: 7V1
- Airport: 7V1, Buena Vista, runway 15, 9,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,442 total, 10 in this make and model, 2,300 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 4 knots, gusting 6
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19890915037729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890915037729A), Sep 15, 1989: Let L13BLANIK, Buena Vista, CO, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Steep turn after tow release at 300 feet. Stalled,dived to ground impact. Possible tried to recover but hit dirt bank

## Other investigations on N3458 (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 DEN77FTE33](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN77FTE33), Apr 9, 1977: Blanik L-13 (N3458), Boulder, CO, 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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