# NTSB ERA11CA465: Let L 33 Solo, N388BA, Wakefield, VA, August 17, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 17, 2011, 12:26 local (16:26 UTC) - Place: Wakefield, VA - Coordinates: 36.970001, -76.958885 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9700&lon=-76.9589&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 27, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81543 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA465 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81543/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81543 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA465 ## Probable cause The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, resulting in an off-airport landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Environmental issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03030000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Let L 33 SOLO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03030000/cases.md?model=1360309), [All aircraft, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03030000/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Let L 33 SOLO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=1360309), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Let L 33 SOLO, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=1360309), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500); cases with it: [Let L 33 SOLO, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=1360309), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Let L 33 SOLO, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1360309), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093) (defining event); cases with it: [Let L 33 SOLO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=1360309), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the glider was at 2,500 feet as he searched for lift and a suitable off-airport landing site simultaneously. Shortly thereafter, the glider lost lift, and the pilot landed in a soybean field. During the landing, the glider touched down 1/4 mile short of the planned touchdown point and ground looped, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot did not report any preimpact mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that the glider was at 2,500 feet as he neared the completion of the second leg of his three-leg cross-country flight. He searched for lift and a suitable off-airport landing site simultaneously, in case he was unable to find lift. The glider encountered sink, and the pilot completed a landing to a soybean field. The glider touched down one-quarter mile prior to the point of intended landing and ground-looped, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot did not report any pre-impact mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N388BA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N388BA-2013-08-14), registration cancelled 2013-08-14, S/N 010514, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LET L 33 SOLO - Registry model: [Let L 33 SOLO](https://openairdocs.org/model/let-l-33-solo) (registry code 1360309) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 010514 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Tidewater Soaring Society - Registered owner: Tidewater Soaring Society - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Departed: 3VA8, Windsor, VA - Destination: 3VA8, Windsor, VA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; last flight review April 26, 2011; seat: single; flight hours: 630 total, 4 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: AKQ, 5 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 20110817019129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110817019129A), Aug 17, 2011: Let L 33 SOLO, Wakefield, VA, Substantial damage. The glider pilot could not maintain altitude due to "sink" in the area. He elected to land in a bean field. Upon touchdown, the left wing contacted the bean… ## Other investigations on N388BA (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 NYC02LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02LA027), Oct 3, 2001: Let Blanik L 33 Solo (N388BA), Windsor, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a loose battery charger becoming entangled in the rudder pedals during a spin recovery, and a subsequent overstress of the glider.… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 24, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81543. 440 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 256 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353424&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Structures 7 - Damage Assessment (item 2, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353425&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Structures%207%20-%20Damage%20Assessment-Redacted.PDF - Meteorology Surface Observations (item 3, .PDF, 82 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353426&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Meteorology%20Surface%20Observations-Master.PDF - Photo - Wing Damage (item 4, .PDF, 39 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353428&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20-%20Wing%20Damage-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.