# NTSB NYC93LA032: Let LF-13, N13WG, Readington, NJ, November 1, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 1, 1992, 16:23 local (21:23 UTC)
- Place: Readington, NJ
- Location: 40.5828° N, 74.7367° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at SOLBERG/HUNTERDON (N51), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5828&lon=-74.7367&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37268
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37268/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA032

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POORLY PLANNED APPROACH FOR LANDING WHICH RESULTED IN AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING IN UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - grass (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN WHEN HE REALIZED HE WOULD NOT MAKE THE RUNWAY.  THE PILOT PLANNED HIS LANDING INTO AN OPEN FIELD WHILE ON BASE LEG.  DURING TOUCHDOWN, HE ENCOUNTERED RISING TERRAIN THAT WAS MASKED BY THE GRASS IN THE FIELD.  THE WINGS OF THE GLIDER WERE BENT DOWNWARD DURING THE LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N13WG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N13WG-2017-10-25), registration cancelled 2017-10-25, S/N 174812, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LET LF-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
- Serial number: 174812
- Airframe hours: 2047
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Central Jersey Soaring Club
- Registered owner: Central Jersey Soaring Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 1992, 10 hours before
- Airport: N51, Solberg-Hunterdon, runway 4, 2,000 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; seat: front; flight hours: 46 total, 3 in this make and model, 28 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast

## 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 19921101044409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921101044409A), Nov 1, 1992: Let L13BLANIK, Readington, NJ, Substantial damage. Out of lift glided to airport but unable to make runway. Landed off airstrip and impacted berm hidden by tall grass

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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