# NTSB MIA03LA022: Let L-23, N41BW, Groveland, FL, November 29, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 29, 2002, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Groveland, FL - Coordinates: 28.405834, -81.837776 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.4058&lon=-81.8378&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 56153 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA03LA022 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56153/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03LA022 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to extend the dive brakes during approach and his excessive airspeed and improper landing flare which resulted in the airplane nosing down and impacting with the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - spoiler extension - not deployed, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause) - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis Witnesses saw the glider heading south about 8 to 10 feet above the runway surface, at a fast rate of speed, spoilers not deployed, and intending to land. The witnesses observed the glider flare several feet above the runway, pull up at a high angle of attack, and high rate of speed. Before coming to rest the glider began a "wheelbarrow" effect with several pull-ups and descents several times, nosed down at about 30 degree angle, and impact the runway surface very hard. An examination of the dive brakes after the accident did not reveal any discrepancies. The pilot was given an NTSB Pilot/Operator Accident Report Form 6120.1/2 by the FAA inspector, but a completed form was not received by the NTSB. ## Factual narrative On November 29, 2002, about 1630 eastern standard time, a LET L-23 glider, N41BW, registered to and operated by Seminole Flying and Soaring Inc., impacted with the ground during a landing at the Seminole Lake Gliderport, Groveland, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The glider was substantially damaged. The commercial-rated pilot reported no injuries. The flight had originated from the same airport at 1600. Witnesses standing about 113 feet from the runway threshold, saw the glider pass along the runway heading in a southerly direction about 8 to 10 feet above the runway surface, at a fast rate of speed, intending to land, and the spoilers were not deployed. They watched the landing procedure until the glider came to a complete stop. The witnesses observed the glider flare "several feet above the surface." The pilot began pulling the glider up at a high "angle of attack," and "high rate" of speed; the glider began a "…wheelbarrow effect with several pull-ups and descents." After several climbs and descent actions, the glider nosed down at a "steep angle at about 30 degrees," and contacted the runway surface very hard. According to the FAA inspector, the pilot said he deployed the dive brakes on base leg, and that he retracted them in order to land further down the runway. The pilot told the inspector that he could not deploy the dive brakes on final. An examination of the dive brakes after the accident did not reveal any discrepancies. The pilot was given an NTSB Pilot/Operator Accident Report Form 6120.1/2 by the FAA inspector, but a completed form was not received by the NTSB. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N41BW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N41BW), registered now, S/N 917921 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LET L-23 - Registry model: [Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK](https://openairdocs.org/model/let-l-23-super-blanik) (registry code 1360308) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 917921 - Airframe hours: 2885 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Seminole Flying and Soaring Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 20, 2002, 65 hours before - Departed: 6FL0, GROVELAND, FL - Airport: 6FL0, Seminole Lake, runway 18, 3,000 × 200 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; last flight review May 4, 2002; seat: front; flight hours: 400 total, 70 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 8 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,900 ft overcast - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: LEE, 20 nm away 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.