# NTSB MIA85LA030: Let L-13, N8208, Homestead, FL, November 10, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 10, 1984, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Homestead, FL
- Coordinates: 25.490421, -80.510581 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.4904&lon=-80.5106&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): 31315
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31315/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA030

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, A DOWNDRAFT WAS ENCOUNTERED ON BASE LEG CAUSING THE ACFT TO DESCEND AND DECELERATE. UNABLE TO REACH THE RWY THE GLIDER LANDED IN AN ORCHARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8208](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8208-2013-05-13), registration cancelled 2013-05-13, S/N 174423, built 1970 (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: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 174423
- Airframe hours: 1
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Eastwind Gliders
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 1984, 6 hours before
- Departed: 6X6, HOMESTEAD, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 117 total, 67 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19841110012089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841110012089A), Nov 10, 1984: Let L13BLANIK, Homestead, FL, Substantial damage. Heavy sink rate encountered after turning base. Could not make runway. Landed in orchard.

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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