# NTSB LAX89LA027: Let L-13, N90848, Marana, CA, October 29, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 29, 1988, 12:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Marana, CA
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26279
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26279/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA027

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF FROM RUNWAY 26 THE CONTROL STICK BECAME DIFFICULT TO MOVE. HE DECIDED TO CONTINUE THE AIR TOW AND RELEASE AT 200 FEET AGL AFTER RELEASE, THE PILOT TURNED THE GLIDER TO RETURN TO THE RUNWAY TO LAND. HE WAS STILL HAVING DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE GLIDER AND FELT THAT THE PASSENGER, WHO WAS IN THE FRONT SEAT, MIGHT HAVE BEEN HOLDING THE FORWARD CONTROL STICK. THE PILOT INSTRUCTED THE PASSENGER TO RELEASE THE STICK. CONTROL WAS MOMENTARILY REGAINED THEN LOST AGAIN. THE PILOT COULD NOT MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE GLIDER AND IT COLLIDED WITH RUNWAY 08. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO PROBLEMS WITH THE GLIDER'S CONTROL MECHANISMS. AN EXAMINATION OF ANOTHER BLANIK L-13 INDICATED THAT VERY LITTLE FORCE IS NEEDED ON THE FORWARD CONTROL STICK TO RENDER THE REAR STICK INEFFECTIVE. THE FLIGHT WAS THE PASSENGER'S FIRST IN SMALL AIRCRAFT AND WAS PART OF THERAPY BEING USED TO TREAT THE PASSENGER FOR A MILD ORGANIC BRAIN SYNDROME.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - flt control syst,yoke/control stick - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - flight controls - restricted, passenger (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, passenger (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90848](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90848-1989-10-02), registration cancelled 1989-10-02, S/N 025704 (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: 025704
- Airframe hours: 2984
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Tucson Soaring Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, August 25, 1988, 22 hours before
- Airport: El Tiro, runway 8, 4,700 × 100 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19881029048549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881029048549A), Oct 29, 1988: Let L13BLANIK, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Mentally ill passenger froze on dual stick that should have been removed. Pilot lost control collided with runway.

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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