# NTSB NYC85LA095: Let L-13, N90862, Mansfield, MA, April 13, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 13, 1985, 16:55 local (21:55 UTC)
- Place: Mansfield, MA
- Location: 42.0009° N, 71.1980° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MANSFIELD MUNI (1B9), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0009&lon=-71.1980&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35854
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35854/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA095

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE TURNED ONTO FINAL APCH AT ABOUT 500 FT AGL & THE PATTERN WAS NORMAL UNTIL HE WAS ABOUT 1/3 MI FROM THE RWY THRESHOLD. THE GLIDER THEN BEGAN TO SINK RAPIDLY. THE PLT REALIZED THAT HE WOULD BE UNABLE TO GLIDE TO THE RWY, SO HE DECIDED TO LAND AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID A DITCH NEAR THE THRESHOLD. HE EXTENDED FULL SPOILERS & LANDED ON ROUGH TERRAIN. THE LEFT WING HIT A LARGE MOUND OF DIRT, DAMAGING THE GLIDER. THE PLT BELIEVED THAT HE MAY HAVE ENCOUNTERED WIND SHEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N90862 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: LET L-13
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 025723
- Airframe hours: 1224
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mit Soaring Association
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 18, 1984, 63 hours before
- Airport: 1B9, Mansfield, runway 14, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,243 total, 9 in this make and model, 1,136 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F

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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