# NTSB NYC00LA251: Let Blanik L-13, N48037, Wurtsboro, NY, September 4, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 4, 2000, 12:25 local (16:25 UTC) - Place: Wurtsboro, NY - Coordinates: 41.570346, -74.479545 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5703&lon=-74.4795&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 19, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50191 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC00LA251 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50191/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA251 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper weather evaluation and decision to initiate a flight with an approaching rain shower. A factor in this accident was heavy rain, which reduced visibility. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, approach - weather condition - rain (contributing factor) - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor) - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, approach - object - tree(s) ## Analysis Prior to takeoff the glider pilot observed 'dark clouds' to the west of the airport. Additionally, the tow plane pilot pointed to the clouds prior to takeoff. The glider pilot 'did not feel that the clouds were moving all that fast,' and elected to depart. The glider was towed to an altitude of 2,500 feet and released. About 1 minute later, the glider pilot noticed that it was 'suddenly much darker, and the clouds had quickly moved over the airport west to east.' He also began to experience some light rain, and intended to return to the airport for landing. The pilot stated that while entering the traffic pattern for landing, 'the rain got so heavy that I had no visibility forward.' While on final approach for landing, the glider began to impact trees. The glider veered to the left and pitched down towards the ground. The glider came to rest in the trees, about 300 feet from the runway threshold. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the glider. The pilot reported 34 hours of total flight experience, all in gliders. ## Factual narrative On September 4, 2000, about 1225 Eastern Daylight Time, a Let Blanik L-13 glider, N48037, was substantially damaged while landing at the Wurtsboro-Sullivan County Airport (N82) Wurtsboro, New York. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement, the pilot said that prior to takeoff he observed "dark clouds" to the west of the airport. Additionally, the tow plane pilot pointed to the clouds prior to takeoff. The pilot acknowledged the tow plane pilot; however, he "did not feel that the clouds were moving all that fast," and elected to continue the flight. The glider was towed to an altitude of 2,500 feet and released. About 1 minute later, the pilot noticed that it was "suddenly much darker, and the clouds had quickly moved over the airport from west to east." He observed some light rain, and intended to return to the airport for landing. While entering the left downwind leg for Runway 23, the rain "got so heavy that I had no visibility forward." The glider was 350 feet above ground level, and pilot elected to make a left turn, and land on Runway 25. Shortly thereafter, the glider began to impact trees. It then veered to the left and pitched down towards the ground. The glider came to rest in the trees, about 300 feet from the runway threshold. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the glider. The pilot received his private pilot glider rating on May 20, 2000. The pilot reported 34 hours of total flight experience, all in gliders. The accident flight was the pilot's first solo flight in the make and model of the accident glider. The weather reported at an airport about 10 miles east-southeast of the accident airport, at 1219 was: Wind from 20 degrees at 5 knots; Visibility 10 miles, Few Clouds at 2,100 feet, Scattered Clouds at 2,800 and 3,500 feet, Temperature 79 Dewpoint 70 degrees F; Altimeter 29.81 in/hg. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N48037](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48037-2002-04-02), registration cancelled 2002-04-02, S/N 026022, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Let BLANIK L-13 (BLANIK L-1) - Registry model: [Let BLANIK L-13](https://openairdocs.org/model/let-blanik-l-13) (registry code 1360306) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 026022 - Airframe hours: 1310 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Long Island Soaring Assoc Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 27, 1999, 20 hours before - Departed: N82 - Airport: N82, Wurtsboro-Sullivan County, runway 23, 3,593 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; medical: unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 34 total, 1 in this make and model, 7 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MGJ, 12 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 20000904043449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000904043449A), Sep 4, 2000: Let L13BLANIK, Wurtsboro, NY, Substantial damage. (-23) Aero tow launched in glider in advance of fast moving cold front, and released over airport at 2500'. Upon pilot realization of severity of weather he… ## Other investigations on N48037 (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 NYC79FHJ11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC79FHJ11), May 6, 1979: Blanik L-13 (N48037), Shirley, NY, substantial damage 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.