# NTSB LAX83LA280: Let L-13, N160AS, Maricopa, AZ, June 11, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 11, 1983, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Maricopa, AZ
- Location: 33.0581° N, 112.0476° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Maricopa, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0581&lon=-112.0476&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23745
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA280
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23745/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA280

## Sequence of events

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

- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - climb - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE SAILPLANE COLLIDED WITH A SMALL TREE AND GROUNDLOOPED DURING A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. THE PILOT STATED THE ACFT HAD ENCOUNTERED A HIGH SINK RATE WHILE GLIDING AT 5000 FT. A RIDGE WAS BETWEEN THE PILOT AND THE INTENDED ROUTE. THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND SHORT OF THE RIDGE LINE IN THE DESERT. DURING THE FLARE FOR LANDING THE ACFT'S LEFT WING HIT A MESQUITE BUSH ABOUT 8 TO 10 FT AGL AND SPUN AROUND. THE WEATHER WAS REPORTED BY THE PILOT AS CLEAR WITH GUSTY WINDS AND A TEMPERATURE OF 105 DEGREES F.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N160AS (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: LET L-13
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 026939
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Arizona Soaring Association
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 9, 1983, 0 hours before
- Departed: E68, MARICOPA, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 55 total, 6 in this make and model, 37 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 75 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 106 °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 19830611024799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830611024799A), Jun 11, 1983: Let L13BLANIK, Maricopa, AZ, Substantial damage. During soaring flight pilot was forced to make off airport landing. Wing hit tree during short final approach.

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.

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