# NTSB NYC83LA190: Let L-13, N32360, Fredericksburg, PA, July 24, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1983, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Fredericksburg, PA
- Coordinates: 40.329982, -75.570037 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3300&lon=-75.5700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35238
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83LA190
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35238/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA190

## Sequence of events

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

- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - spoiler retraction - not selected, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER LIFT-OFF FROM A TOW TAKEOFF, THE TOWPLANE WAS UNABLE TO ATTAIN THE NORMAL TOW AIRSPEED OF 65 TO 75 MPH & CONTINUEDAT ABOUT 55 MPH. THE GLIDER PLT THOUGHT THE TOWPLANE WAS HAVING ENGINE PROBLEMS, & AS THE TWO ACFT CIRCLED THE ARPT, THEGLIDER PLT RELEASED WHEN HE WAS SURE THE GLIDER COULD MAKE THE ARPT. AFTER RELEASE, THE GLIDER LOST AIRSPEED & ALTITUDE QUICKLY. DURING A FORCED LANDING INTO A CORN FIELD ADJACENT TO THE ARPT, THE PLT REACHED FOR THE SPOILERS & REALIZED THAT THE SPOILERS HAD BEEN EXTENDED THROUGHOUT THE TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N32360](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N32360-2013-04-01), registration cancelled 2013-04-01, S/N 173032, built 1964 (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)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Airframe hours: 3412
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Drew E. Machamer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, June 29, 1983, 25 hours before
- Airport: 9N7, Farmers Pride, runway 27, 3,800 × 300 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 865 total, 37 in this make and model, 755 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F

## 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 19830724035509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830724035509A), Jul 24, 1983: Let L13BLANIK, Fredericksburg, PA, Substantial damage. Sluggish performance on tow. Cut loose but unable to make airport. Had failed to retract spoilers for takeoff.

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.