# NTSB MIA96LA045: Let L-23, N254BA, Jacksonville, FL, December 16, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 16, 1995, 14:55 local (19:55 UTC)
- Place: Jacksonville, FL
- Coordinates: 30.480813, -81.510177 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4808&lon=-81.5102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 1, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37963
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37963/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA045

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY PLAN THE FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - no thermal lift (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - object - pole

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT ONCE RELEASED FROM THE TOWPLANE HE WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE AN ADEQUATE THERMAL AND ELECTED TO LAND IN A FOOTBALL FIELD.  DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE LEFT WING STRUCK A GOALPOST.

## Factual narrative

On December 16, 1995, about 1455 eastern standard time, N254BA, a Blanic L-23 glider struck a goal post on landing at a football field in Jacksonville, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The pilot reported no injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated about 1415 the same day.

The pilot stated that he was unable to locate adequate thermals and elected to land in a football field. During the landing roll the left wing struck the goal post, damaging the leading edge, the spar, and the wing attachment fittings.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N254BA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N254BA-2011-02-25), registration cancelled 2011-02-25, S/N 917803, built 1991 (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: 917803
- Airframe hours: 266
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gilbert R. Clarke
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 21, 1995
- Departed: 23J, FL
- Airport: 23J, Herlong Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 5,004 total, 19 in this make and model, 3,958 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JAX, 13 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 19951216043649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951216043649A), Dec 16, 1995: Let L23, Jacksonville, FL, Substantial damage. Unable find thermals. Elected land in football field. Left wing struck goal post.

## Other investigations on N254BA (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA99LA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA197), Jul 15, 1999: Let L-23 (N254BA), Jacksonville, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's improper in-flight decisions allowing the glider to descend to a low altitude, resulting in a forced landing off the airport and subsequent impact with a 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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