# NTSB FTW87LA186: Let L-13, N78AS, Hempstead, TX, August 2, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 2, 1987, 16:46 local (21:46 UTC)
- Place: Hempstead, TX
- Coordinates: 30.089168, -96.079795 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0892&lon=-96.0798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22409
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA186
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22409/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA186

## Sequence of events

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

- Forced landing, takeoff - initial climb
  - spoiler extension - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - radio communications - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (cause)

## Analysis

ACFT LANDED SHORT OF THRESHOLD FOLLOWING A LOW RELEASE SHORTLY AFTER T/O. RELEASE WAS LOW DUE TO TOW PLANE'S BEING UNABLE TO CLIMB ABOVE 200' AGL DUE TO THE GLIDER'S SPOILERS BEING DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY DURING THE T/O. THE PLT STATED THAT HE EXECUTED A 270 DEG TURN TO RETURN TO THE THRESHOLD INSTEAD OF MAKING A 90 DEG TURN TO THE RWY. PLT WAS UNAWARE OF THE SPOILER DEPLOYMENT DESPITE THE GRND CREW'S ATTEMPTS TO WARN HIM BY RADIO. THE RADIO VOLUME WAS TURNED DOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N78AS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N78AS-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 027018, built 1978 (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: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 027018
- Airframe hours: 727
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Soaring Club Of Houston, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 28, 1987, 121 hours before
- Departed: 35R
- Airport: 35R, Hempstead, runway 17, 3,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; medical: unknown; seat: rear; flight hours: 485 total, 17 in this make and model, 466 as pilot in command, 51 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

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.