# NTSB NYC08CA031: Let L-33 Solo, N284BA, Louisburg, NC, November 11, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 11, 2007, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Louisburg, NC
- Coordinates: 36.156112, -78.315551
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1561&lon=-78.3156&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67060
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67060/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA031

## Probable cause

The flight's encounter with an area of no thermal lift. Contributing factors to the accident were the pilot's inadvertent selection of unsuitable terrain with a hidden obstruction.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - no thermal lift (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

After being towed to an altitude of 1,800 feet, the pilot of the LET L-33 Solo glider released the towline and began "thermaling" to the northwest of the airport.  After flying for approximately 11 nautical miles uneventfully, the pilot turned back to the airport.  Then while thermaling on the return leg, the glider lost altitude due to the "lift conditions," and the pilot performed an off-field landing.  After touching down in a hay field, the glider struck a grass covered culvert and was substantially damaged.

## Factual narrative

After being towed to an altitude of 1,800 feet, the pilot of the LET L-33 Solo glider released the towline and began "thermaling" to the northwest of the airport.  After flying for approximately 11 nautical miles uneventfully, the pilot turned back to the airport.  Then while thermaling on the return leg, the glider lost altitude due to the "lift conditions," and the pilot performed an off-field landing.  After touching down in a hay field, the glider struck a grass covered culvert and was substantially damaged.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N284BA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N284BA), registered now, S/N 940312, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LET L-33 Solo
- Registry model: [Let L 33 SOLO](https://openairdocs.org/model/let-l-33-solo) (registry code 1360309) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 940312
- Airframe hours: 1115
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2007
- Departed: 79NC, Louisburg, NC
- Destination: 79NC
- Airport: 79NC, Ball Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; private; last flight review July 1, 2007; seat: single; flight hours: 74 total, 32 in this make and model, 52 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.30 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 20071111828829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071111828829A), Nov 11, 2007: Let L33SOLO, Louisburg, NC, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot's statement via email - "departure from ball airport (79NC) Louisburg, NC 11:47 et via aero-tow released 1800FT MSL just west of airfield began…

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.