# NTSB NYC89LA014: Let L13, Warren, VT, October 17, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 17, 1988, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Warren, VT
- Location: 44.1120° N, 72.8559° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Warren, VT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1120&lon=-72.8559&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36324
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36324/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA014

## Probable cause

PILOT'S IMPROPER SUPERVISION OF FLIGHT, PERMITTED THE STUDENT TO NOT MAINTAIN THE PROPER AIRSPEED AND STALL THE GLIDER AND CRASH INTO THE GROUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - airspeed - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach

## Analysis

DURING AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT WHILE THE STUDENT WAS FLYING THE GLIDER THE AIRSPEED GOT LOW, THE NOSE HIGH, AND THE RIGHT WING DROPPED 15 DEGREES BEFORE THE INSTRUCTOR TOOK THE CONTROLS. THE GLIDER DESCENDED, CRASHED, BOUNCED INTO THE AIR, AND CRASHED A SECOND TIME BEFORE TURNING 90 DEGREES COUNTER CLOCKWISE AND STOPPING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CFYSR (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: LET L13
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 174028
- Airframe hours: 2552
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas Mc Whirter
- Registered owner: Erin Soaring Society
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, July 8, 1988, 54 hours before
- Departed: OB7, WARREN, VT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,912 total, 326 in this make and model, 1,398 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point -0 °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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