# NTSB GAA20CA058: Let L13, N213TA, Enumclaw, WA, October 28, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 27, 2019, 17:17 local (Oct 28, 2019, 00:17 UTC) - Place: Enumclaw, WA - Coordinates: 47.24361, -121.924446 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2436&lon=-121.9244&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100533 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA20CA058 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100533/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100533 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA058 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain a proper glidepath, which resulted in a collision with trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Let L13 AC BLANIK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1360312), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Let L13 AC BLANIK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=1360312), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Let L13 AC BLANIK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=1360312), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Let L13 AC BLANIK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=1360312), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, after soaring atop ridgelines in a glider, he initiated an approach. During final, the pilot put the glider in a slip to lose altitude and intercept an "appropriate glideslope." However, the right wing impacted treetops and then came to rest inverted. The glider sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The glider pilot reported that, after soaring atop local ridgelines, he initiated an approach. During final, the pilot put the airplane in a slip to lose altitude and intercept an "appropriate glideslope." However, the glider's right wing collided with treetops and the glider came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N213TA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N213TA-2020-12-18), registration cancelled 2020-12-18, S/N 008606, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Let L13 (AC) - Registry model: [Let L13 AC BLANIK](https://openairdocs.org/model/let-l13-ac-blanik) (registry code 1360312) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 008606 - Year built: 2000 - Airframe hours: 2141.35 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Puget Sound Soaring Association Inc - Registered owner: Puget Sound Soaring Association Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, December 3, 2018 - Departed: WN76, Enumclaw, WA - Destination: WN76, Enumclaw, WA - Airport: WN76, Bergseth Field, runway 10, 2,100 × 60 ft, dirt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 14, 2018; seat: rear; flight hours: 38 total, 19 in this make and model, 16 as pilot in command - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 20, 2017; seat: front; flight hours: 692 total, 51 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.37 inHg - Observed at: KZSE, 11 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 20191027020469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191027020469A), Oct 27, 2019: Let L13 AC BLANIK, Enumclaw, WA, Substantial damage. Upon approach, aircraft was flown at an altitude too low and too FAR to the right causing the right wing to strike a tree. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 31, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100533. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480428&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 214 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480429&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.