# NTSB GAA17CA477: Let L 23 Super Blanik, N304MG, Homestead, FL, July 30, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 30, 2017, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Homestead, FL - Coordinates: 25.502222, -80.541389 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.5022&lon=-80.5414&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 27, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95772 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA477 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95772/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95772 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA477 ## Probable cause The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, which resulted in the pilot landing short of the intended runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md?model=1360308), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=1360308), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=1360308), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370); cases with it: [Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=1360308), [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of a nonpowered glider reported that, while on the downwind for landing, the glider was higher than normal due to lift that was encountered. He added that, while on final approach, the glider encountered a gusting headwind, which reduced the ground speed. The glider was unable to maintain sufficient altitude and touched down short of the intended runway. The fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located 9 miles east of the accident airport reported that, about 2 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 260° at 14 knots, gusting to 23 knots. 27U was the intended runway. ## Factual narrative The pilot of a non-powered glider reported that while on the downwind for landing, the glider was higher than normal due to lift that was encountered. He added that while on final approach, the glider encountered a gusting headwind, which reduced the ground speed. The glider was unable to maintain sufficient altitude, and touched down short of the intended runway. The fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located 9 miles east of the accident airport reported, about 2 minutes before the accident, that the wind was from 260° at 14 knots, gusting to 23 knots. 27U was the intended runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N304MG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N304MG-2018-11-07), registration cancelled 2018-11-07, S/N 917929, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LET L 23 SUPER BLANIK (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK](https://openairdocs.org/model/let-l-23-super-blanik) (registry code 1360308) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 917929 - Year built: 1992 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: N304mg LLC. - Registered owner: N304mg LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: X51, Homestead, FL - Destination: X51, Homestead, FL - Airport: X51, Miami Homestead General Aviati, runway 27U, 2,500 × 150 ft - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 17; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 10, 2017; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 131 total, 20 in this make and model, 27 as pilot in command, 58 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 14 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 79 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: KHST, 9 nm away ## 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 20170730010189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170730010189A), Jul 30, 2017: Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK, Homestead, FL, Substantial damage. Airman [privacy data omitted] was flying the rented glider in the pattern with a passenger friend. He advised in his statement that he experienced gusty winds… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 1, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95772. 4.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460444&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 684 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460445&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.