# NTSB MIA99LA197: Let L-23, N254BA, Jacksonville, FL, July 15, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 15, 1999, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Jacksonville, FL - Coordinates: 30.269762, -81.749618 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2698&lon=-81.7496&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 23, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46835 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA99LA197 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46835/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA197 ## 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. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Forced landing, maneuvering - weather condition - downdraft - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause) - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The glider was towed about 5 miles north of the departure airport to an altitude of about 2,300 feet above ground level (agl). After soaring for about 20 minutes, the pilot decided to return to the airport. When the flight was about 5 miles from the airport at 1,600 feet agl, the pilot said, '...he encountered heavy sink, of about 400 to 500 feet per minute.' He elected to performed a 180 degree turn to reach a field for landing, but could not reach the intended landing area. He elected to stall into a tree to avoid homes. ## Factual narrative On July 15, 1999, about 1400 eastern daylight time, a Let L-23 glider, N254BA, registered to the North Florida Soaring Society Inc., collided with a tree during a forced landing near Herlong Airport, Jacksonville, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 local personal flight. The glider was substantially damaged. The commercial-rated pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The flight had departed from the same airport about 1340. According to the pilot the tow airplane released the glider about 5 miles north of the departure airport at an altitude of about 2,300 feet above ground level (agl). The pilot stated, "...we soared for about 20 minutes, then traveled west for about 3 miles, when I decided to return to [the] airport. We were 5 miles at 1,600 feet agl. On return I encountered heavy sink, 400 to 500 feet per minute, I made a 180 [turn] to reach a field for landing, but could not reach it. I elected to stall into a tree to avoid homes." ## 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: 170 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: North Florida Soaring Society - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 1999, 37 hours before - Departed: 23J - Airport: 23J, Herlong ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,264 total, 110 in this make and model, 3,187 as pilot in command, 64 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: JAX ## 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 19990715022379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990715022379A), Jul 15, 1999: Let L23, Jacksonville, FL, Substantial damage. (.19) On July 15, 1999, about 1400 eastern daylight time, a Let blanik L-23 glider, N254BA, registered to the north Florida soaring society inc., collided with… ## 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 MIA96LA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA045), Dec 16, 1995: Let L-23 (N254BA), Jacksonville, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY PLAN THE FLIGHT. 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.