# NTSB LAX08CA003: Let Blanik L-13, N510CS, Hemet, CA, October 6, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 6, 2007, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Hemet, CA - Coordinates: 33.7338888888889, -117.0225 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7339&lon=-117.0225&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 66854 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA003 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66854/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA003 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain a proper descent rate due to his failure to close the air brake and/or partially retract the flaps during an encounter with lost lift on final approach. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - object - fence - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - speed brakes - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - raising of flaps - not performed, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot encountered a loss of lift during the latter part of the pattern and subsequently collided with the airport boundary fence on final approach. The pilot stated that during the downwind leg, he partially deployed the flaps, and partially opened the air brake. He encountered a significant loss of lift on the final leg, but could not recall whether he closed the air brake. A photograph taken immediately after the accident by the pilot's flight instructor showed the air brake to be open, with the flaps deployed. The pilot was checked out by his flight instructor to fly the L-13 glider earlier that day. The accident flight was his first solo flight in this glider type. ## Factual narrative On October 6, 2007, about 1400 Pacific daylight time, a LET Blanik L-13, N510CS, collided with an airport boundary fence during final approach near Hemet, California. Orange County Soaring Association was operating the glider under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the glider sustained substantial damage. The local area personal flight departed Hemet-Ryan Airport about 1300. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. In a written report, the pilot stated that he encountered a significant loss of lift during the latter part of the pattern, and subsequently collided with the airport boundary fence. An FAA investigator interviewed the pilot after the accident. The pilot stated that during the downwind leg, he partially deployed the flaps, and partially opened the air brake. He stated that he encountered a significant loss of lift on the final leg, but could not recall whether he closed the air brake. A photograph taken immediately after the accident by the pilot's flight instructor showed the air brake to be open. The flaps were deployed. The pilot was checked out by his flight instructor to fly the L-13 glider earlier that day. The accident flight was his first solo flight since the checkout. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N510CS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N510CS-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N 025423, built 1972 (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: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 025423 - Airframe hours: 1975 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Orange County Soaring Association - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2007 - Departed: HMT, Hemet, CA - Destination: HMT - Airport: HMT, Hemet-Ryan, runway 22, 2,045 × 25 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review October 1, 2007; seat: front; flight hours: 1,263 total, 2 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: RIV, 15 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 20071006823839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071006823839A), Oct 6, 2007: Let L13BLANIK, Hemet, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) N510CS, blanik L-13, piloted by [privacy data omitted], private pilot glider, struck airport boundary fence short of runway 22 while landing at Hemet,… 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.