# NTSB FTW87LA199: Let L-13, N9997Q, Littlefield, TX, August 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1987, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Littlefield, TX
- Coordinates: 33.910968, -102.330047 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9110&lon=-102.3300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22418
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA199
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22418/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA199

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - lowering of flaps - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - spoiler extension - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT ACTIVATED THE FLAPS WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH INSTEAD OF THE SPOILERS.  WHEN THE GLIDER DID NOT DESCEND AS HE EXPECTED, A LEFT 360 DEGREE TURN WAS INITIATED TO LOSE ALTITUDE. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE THEN UNINTENTIONALLY STALLED THE AIRCRAFT WHILE IN THE LEFT TURN AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9997Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9997Q-1992-01-07), registration cancelled 1992-01-07, S/N 026010 (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: 026010
- Airframe hours: 14
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cap Rock Soaring Club
- Registered owner: The Caprock Soaring Club Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: Q00, Littlefield Municipal, runway 1, 4,000 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,298 total, 14 in this make and model, 1,080 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19870816045699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870816045699A), Aug 16, 1987: Let L13BLANIK, Littlefield, TX, Substantial damage. Activated flaps instead of spoilers on approach. Too high began a turn to lose altitude and stalled the glider.

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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