# NTSB FTW97LA256: Let Blanik L-13, N65378, Pagosa Springs, CO, July 4, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1997, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Pagosa Springs, CO
- Location: 37.2634° N, 107.0035° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Pagosa Springs, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2634&lon=-107.0035&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20272
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA256
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20272/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA256

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper inflight planning in that he allowed the glider to descend to too low an altitude and stray too far from the airport, exceeding the aircraft's glide capabilities.  A factor was his failure to utilize maximum braking action.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - low
  - distance - excessive
  - brakes(normal) - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

While searching for thermals 5 miles east of the airport, the pilot realized he had insufficient altitude to glide back to the airport.  He elected to land in a school soccer field.  During the approach, the pilot noticed a 5-foot high hill in the middle of the field.  He decided to land on the other side of the hill.  After touching down, the pilot applied 'moderate braking.'  The aircraft went off the field and collided with an embankment next to a road.

## Factual narrative

On July 4, 1997, at 1741 mountain daylight time, a Let Blanik L-13, N65378, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during landing at Pagosa Springs, Colorado.  The commercial pilot was not injured, but the passenger sustained a minor injury.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91.  The flight originated at Pagosa Springs, Colorado, approximately 1720.

According to the pilot's accident report, he was towed aloft and released 1/2-mile north of the airport approximately 9,500 feet msl (above mean sea level).  He was able to climb in a thermal to 10,700 feet, then proceeded east in search of other thermals.  When the pilot was about 3 to 5 miles east of the airport, he realized he was at a "low altitude (about 9,700 feet) relative to the airport."  As the pilot glided towards the airport, he encountered "moderate sinking...descent rate around 600 to 700 feet per minute.  He began looking for emergency landing fields.  The pilot soon realized he did not have sufficient altitude to glide to the airport, and elected to land on a school soccer field.  During the approach, he noticed a 5-foot hill in the middle of the field.  He decided to land on the other side of the hill.  After touching down, the pilot applied "moderate braking."  The aircraft went off the field and collided with an embankment next to a road.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N65378](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65378-2013-02-13), registration cancelled 2013-02-13, S/N 026634, built 1976 (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: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 026634
- Airframe hours: 1226
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: High Flights Soaring Club, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 17, 1997
- Departed: 2V1, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; commercial; seat: rear; flight hours: 275 total, 200 in this make and model, 170 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 13 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DRO, 35 nm away

## Other investigations on N65378 (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 SEA78DYA09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78DYA09), Jun 1, 1978: Let-Np-K L-13 (N65378), Driggs, ID, 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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