# NTSB NYC98LA097: Let L-23 Super Blanik, N298BA, Pipersville, PA, April 21, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 21, 1998, 14:20 local (18:20 UTC)
- Place: Pipersville, PA
- Coordinates: 40.430625, -75.10028 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4306&lon=-75.1003&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 October 30, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39555
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC98LA097
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39555/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA097

## Probable cause

the pilot's misjudgment of distance and altitude, while on an approach to an off-airport landing area, which resulted in a lack of airspeed and/or altitude to reach the intended landing area (undershoot), a stall or mush into tree(s), and collision with a barn.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach
  - planned approach - initiated, pilot in command
  - distance/altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - building(nonresidential) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot had been soaring for approximately 2 hours when he lost sight of his intended landing site. As he lost altitude, he continued to slow the glider while looking for a field to land in. Just prior to touch down, he stalled the glider, which struck a tree, then hit the side of a barn before coming to rest up right.

## Factual narrative

On April 21, 1998, at 1420 eastern daylight time, a Let-23-23 (glider), N298BA, was substantially damaged during an off airport landing to a field near Pipersville, Pennsylvania.  The certificated private pilot sustained serious injuries and the passenger received no injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated from Vansant Airport (9N1), Pipersville, Pennsylvania, approximately 1220.  No flight plan was filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot stated that he had been soaring for approximately 2 hours when he lost sight of Vansant Airport.  He also stated, as he lost altitude, he continued to slow (the glider) while looking for a field to land in.  Just prior to touch down, he stalled the glider, which struck a tree, and hit the side of a barn before coming to rest up right.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N298BA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N298BA-1999-06-18), registration cancelled 1999-06-18, S/N 968215 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK (L-23 SUPER)
- Registry model: [Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK](https://openairdocs.org/model/let-l-23-super-blanik) (registry code 1360308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 968215
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Don J. Summa
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 9N1, ERWINNA, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; private; medical: unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 1,200 total, 50 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHL, 30 nm away

## 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 19980421007399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980421007399A), Apr 21, 1998: Let L23SUPERBLAN, Pipersville, PA, Substantial damage. Lost sight of airport. Tried for an open area. Stalled. Hit a tree and side of a barn. (-23) Mr. Summa, the PIC of glider N298BA, stated after soaring for…

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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