# NTSB MIA86LA166: Let L-13, N11TR, Pensacola, FL, May 26, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 26, 1986, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Pensacola, FL
- Coordinates: 30.430557, -87.220024 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4306&lon=-87.2200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31640
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86LA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31640/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA166

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - downdraft
  - proper glidepath - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PVT GLIDER PLT WITH A TOTAL OF 47 HOURS OF FLT TIME DEPARTED HIS LOCAL FIELD WITH ONE PASSENGER. AT ABOUT 2000 FT AGL HE DISENGAGED THE AERO TOW AND PROCEEDED TO GLIDE FOR ABOUT ONE HOUR. THE PLT STATED THAT WHEN HE STARTED BACK TO HIS LOCAL AIRPORT AND WAS ESTABLISHED ON FINAL APPROACH HE ENCOUNTERED DOWN DRAFTS AND COULD NOT STRETCH THE GLIDE TO THE RWY. HE SELECTED A SOYBEAN FIELD AND STARTED A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. HE STRUCK A TREE ON FINAL APCH AND THE ACFT CARTWHEELED TO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11TR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11TR-1989-09-14), registration cancelled 1989-09-14, S/N 174708 (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: 174708
- Airframe hours: 2522
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Coastal Soaring Associates
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 26, 1985, 84 hours before
- Airport: 83J, Coastal Airport, runway 18, 2,550 × 280 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; seat: center; flight hours: 47 total, 26 in this make and model, 35 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PNS, 16 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 19860526044519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860526044519A), May 26, 1986: Pensacola, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot misjudged gliding distance and glider hit tree during attempt to land off airport.

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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