# NTSB LAX04CA220: Let Blanik L-13, N53AS, Sparks, NV, May 24, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 23, 2004, 19:05 local (May 24, 2004, 02:05 UTC) - Place: Sparks, NV - Coordinates: 39.871944, -119.700836 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8719&lon=-119.7008&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 59303 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA220 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59303/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA220 ## Probable cause the student pilot's misjudged altitude, distance, and speed, and failure to attain the proper touchdown point, resulting in an overshoot of the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, landing - flare/touchdown - altitude - high, pilot in command (cause) - distance/speed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - proper touchdown point - not obtained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - high vegetation ## Analysis A glider landed long and collided with high vegetation. While on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, the pilot noted that he was close to the runway. During final approach the glider was above the glide slope, and the pilot elected to deploy full spoilers and configure the glider in a forward slip. Despite his efforts to reduce altitude and airspeed, the pilot could not make the runway and landed the glider in sagebrush located past the end of the runway. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the aircraft. ## Factual narrative On May 23, 2004, about 1905 Pacific daylight time, a Let Blanik L-13 glider, N53AS, landed long and collided with terrain and high vegetation at the Air Sailing Gliderport, Sparks, Nevada. Northern California Soaring Association was operating the glider under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the glider sustained substantial damage. The local instructional flight originated Sparks about 1635. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was attempting to land on runway 03. While on the downwind leg of the left traffic pattern, he noted that he was close to the runway. During his left turn to base leg, he realized he had become so close to the runway that he had to immediately make his turn to final approach. The glider was above the glide slope, and the pilot elected to deploy full spoilers and configure the glider in a forward slip. Despite his efforts to reduce altitude and airspeed, the pilot could not make the runway, and the glider collided with sagebrush located past the end of the runway. The glider incurred damage to the horizontal stabilizer, right elevator, and tail cone assembly. The pilot thought the accident could have been prevented if he had established the glider on the downwind leg. He further added that, while on base leg, he could have maneuvered the glider in abbreviated figure eights, in an effort to reduce altitude. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N53AS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53AS-2021-10-30), registration cancelled 2021-10-30, S/N 027057, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LET Blanik L-13 - 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: 027057 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Northern California Soaring Associaiton - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: NV23, Sparks, NV - Destination: NV23, Sparks, NV - Airport: NV23, Air Sailing Gliderport, runway 03 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; student; flight hours: 45 total, 36 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: RNO ## 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 20040523007709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040523007709A), May 23, 2004: Let L13BLANIK, Sparks, NV, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 23, 2004 at approximately 1900 PDT, Mr. Norman j. freitas entered the traffic pattern for runway 3 at air Sailing airport, NV in a blanik L-13,… ## Other investigations on N53AS (2) 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 LAX91LA349](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA349), Aug 4, 1991: Let L-13 (N53AS), Byron, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE ON GROUND COLLISION WITH A HIDDEN DITCH NOT VISIBLE TO THE PILOT DURING THE LANDING ROLL OUT PHASE OF A FORCED LANDING. - [NTSB LAX81FVD19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FVD19), Apr 12, 1981: Blanik L-13 (N53AS), Fremont, CA, 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. --- 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.