# NTSB LAX84LA386: Let L-13, N99966, Llano, CA, July 9, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 8, 1984, 17:30 local (Jul 9, 1984, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Llano, CA
- Coordinates: 34.490135, -117.770774 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4901&lon=-117.7708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24336
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA386
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24336/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA386

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE GLIDER DID NOT SINK AS FAST AS EXPECTED ON THE DOWNWIND LEG, SO HE EXTENDED FLAPS TO 30 TO 40 DEG, USED SPOILERS & EXTENDED THE DOWNWIND. ON BASE LEG HE ENTERED AN AREA OF HIGH SINK; THEREFORE, HE CLOSED THE SPOILERS & ANGLED TOWARD THE RWY. HE DECIDED THAT HE WOULD BE UNABLE TO REACH THE RWY, SO HE ELECTED TO LAND IN A FIELD, SHORT OF THE ARPT. DURING THE LANDING ON ROUGH TERRAIN, THE RIGHT WING HIT A JOSHUA TREE & THE GLIDER WAS DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99966](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99966-1992-08-19), registration cancelled 1992-08-19, S/N 025919 (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)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 025919
- Airframe hours: 1509
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cypress Soarng, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 1984, 30 hours before
- Departed: L01, LLANO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; flight hours: 363 total, 21 in this make and model, 167 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 24 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: WJF, 25 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 19840708033679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840708033679A), Jul 8, 1984: Let L13BLANIK, Llano, CA, Substantial damage. Under estimated wind velocity and possible downdrafts. Landed off airport. A wing was severed by a joshua 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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