# NTSB FTW82FRA24: Blanik L-13, N273AS, Katy, TX, July 3, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 3, 1982, 17:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Katy, TX
- Location: 29.7913° N, 95.8410° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Katy, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7913&lon=-95.8410&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 3, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71232
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82FRA24
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71232/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FRA24

## Sequence of events

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

- Forced landing, cruise
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PILOT RENTED THE GLIDER AFTER A FLIGHT CHECK-OUT WAS COMPLETED AND WAS GIVEN AN AERIAL TOW TO AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 2000 FEET. ACCORDING TO THE PASSENGER, THE PILOT BECAME DISORIENTED AND LOST SIGHT OF THE AIRPORT. UNABLE TO FIND ANY LIFTING CURRENTS, THE PILOT WAS FORCED TO TRY AN OFF AIRPORT LANDNG. DURING THE APPROACH TO A PASTURE, THE PILOT NOTICED POWERLINES AND ATTEMPTED TO TURN AWAY. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE GROUND IN A STEEP NOSE LOW ALTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N273AS (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BLANIK L-13
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 026845
- Airframe hours: 1136
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Houston Soaring Assoc
- Registered owner: Houston Soaring Assoc
- Departed: KATY, TX
- Destination: KATY, TX
- Airport: Harlican

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 455 total, 384 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 203 °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 19820703027079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820703027079A), Jul 3, 1982: Let L13BLANIK, Katy, TX, Substantial damage. Lost on local flight and out of lift. Chose a field at end of gliding range turned nearground too slow, stalled.

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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