# NTSB FTW95LA405: Let Blanik L-13, N38924, Como, CO, September 24, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 24, 1995, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Como, CO
- Coordinates: 39.22076, -105.799888 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2208&lon=-105.7999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 6, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19589
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA405
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19589/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA405

## Probable cause

THE PILOT ALLOWING THE GLIDER TO DEVELOP AN EXCESSIVE DESCENT RATE. A FACTOR WAS THE PREMATURE AND AUTOMATIC DISENGAGEMENT OF THE WINCH-TOW SYSTEM.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, descent
  - glider launch/tow equipment - disengaged (contributing factor)
  - descent - excessive, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE GLIDER WAS BEING LAUNCHED VIA WINCH. AT AN ALTITUDE ABOUT 50 FEET, A SLACK DEVELOPED IN THE TOW LINE, CAUSING THE GLIDER TO BE RELEASED AUTOMATICALLY. THE PILOT PITCHED THE NOSE DOWN. A HIGH SINK RATE DEVELOPED AND WHEN THE PILOT FLARED, THE GLIDER LANDED HARD, COLLAPSING THE LANDING GEAR.

## Factual narrative

On September 24, 1995, approximately 1730 mountain daylight time, a Blanik L-13, N38924, operated by Denver Soaring Council, Inc., was substantially damaged during a hard landing at Como, Colorado.  The commercial pilot received minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that was being conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.  The flight was originating at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed.

The following is based on the pilot/operator report.  A winch tow was made from runway 06 at the Silver Heels Gliderport.  At an altitude about 50 feet, a slack developed in the tow line, causing the glider to be released automatically.  The pilot pitched the nose down.  A high sink rate developed and when he flared, the glider landed hard, collapsing the landing gear.  The glider came to a halt on the runway.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38924](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38924-2017-06-22), registration cancelled 2017-06-22, S/N 025319, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Let BLANIK L-13 (BLANIK L-1)
- Registry model: [Let BLANIK L-13](https://openairdocs.org/model/let-blanik-l-13) (registry code 1360306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 025319
- Airframe hours: 2639
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Denver Soaring Council, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 14, 1995, 46 hours before
- Departed: 2CO9
- Airport: 2CO9, Silver Heels Gliderport, runway 6, 4,500 × 35 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 4,021 total, 337 in this make and model, 3,918 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## Other investigations on N38924 (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 DEN87LA236](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA236), Sep 5, 1987: Let L-13 (N38924), Buena Vista, 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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