# NTSB LAX84LA297: Let L-13, N3204F, El Mirage, AZ, May 18, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 18, 1984, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: El Mirage, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.589736, -112.329193 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5897&lon=-112.3292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24266
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA297
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24266/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA297

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE GLIDER PLT REPORTED THAT AFTER A RELEASE FROM THE TOW LINE, HE HAD DIFFICULTY FINDING LIFT. HE CONCENTRATED ON FINDING LIFT SO MUCH THAT HE BECAME DISORIENTED WITH RESPECT TO THE RWY. WHEN HE ELECTED TO RETURN TO THE ARPT, HE INADVERTENTLY SELECTED A NARROW STRIP USED BY ULTRALIGHT VEHICLES. THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER LANDING, HE SWERVED TO AVOID A TREE & THE GLIDER'S TAIL STRUCK THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3204F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3204F-2022-03-05), registration cancelled 2022-03-05, S/N 026525, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LET 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: 026525
- Airframe hours: 1747
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Nevin R. Gilbert
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 26, 1983, 61 hours before
- Airport: Pleasant Valley, runway 5, 4,000 ×  ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 233 total, 15 in this make and model, 179 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LUF, 17 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 19840518019889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840518019889A), May 18, 1984: Let L13BLANIK, El Mirage, AZ, Substantial damage. Became disoriented after release from a tow and landed on an ultralight strip. Swerved to avoid a tree.

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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