# NTSB LAX82DA254: Blanik L-13, N90639, Murrieta, CA, July 11, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 11, 1982, 14:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Murrieta, CA
- Location: 33.5539° N, 117.2139° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Murrieta, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5539&lon=-117.2139&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71802
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA254
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71802/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA254

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - speed brakes - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper descent rate - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

PILOT LANDED SHORT OF RUNWAY IN A GLIDER AND IMPACTED THE GROUND AT HIGH SPEED WITH HIGH SINK RATE. HE HAD RELEASED EARLY FROM AN AEROTOW AND DESCENDED AT HIGH AIRSPEED WITH DIVE BRAKES OPEN WHICH ACCELERATED HIS RATE OF SINK. HE WAS NOT INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90639](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90639-2018-02-07), registration cancelled 2018-02-07, S/N 025525, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: 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: 025525
- Airframe hours: 1120
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Skylark Gliderport
- Registered owner: Eric A. Coleson
- Departed: L86, MURRIETA, CA
- Destination: L86, MURRIETA, CA
- Airport: L86, Thompson Transportation, runway 15, 2,800 × 60 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; medical: unknown; flight hours: 39 total, 12 in this make and model, 25 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 205° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 208 °F

## 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 19820711028909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820711028909A), Jul 11, 1982: Let L13BLANIK, Murietta, CA, Substantial damage. Early air tow release and poor lift. Tried to make airport with speed brake on. Crash landed short of runway.

## Other investigations on N90639 (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 IAD75DKW22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD75DKW22), Jun 9, 1975: Blanik L-13 (N90639), Benton Tn, TN, 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.