# NTSB SEA82DA092: Blanik L-13, N99954, Driggs, ID, June 18, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 18, 1982, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Driggs, ID
- Coordinates: 43.729808, -111.220504 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7298&lon=-111.2205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70505
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA82DA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70505/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82DA092

## Analysis

THE PILOT HELD A COMMERCIAL, AIRLINE TRANSPORT CERTIFICATE, BUT HAD ONLY A STUDENT GLIDER CERTIFICATE. DURING A TOWED TAKEOFF, WITNESSES OBSERVED THE SPOILERS EXTEND AFTER ABOUT 200 FT OF GROUND ROLL. THE TOW PILOT GAVE AN ARM SIGNAL TO INDICATE A PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE GLIDER PILOT REPORTED THAT HE MISINTERPRETED THE SIGNAL AND ELECTED TO MAKE AN OFF FIELD LANDING. HE WAS UNAWARE THAT THE SPOILERS WERE UNLATCHED. AFTER BEING RELEASED FROM THE TOW PLANE, THE GLIDER TOUCHED DOWN ABOUT 200 FT BEYOND THE RUNWAY, RIGHT WING LOW, AND WAS DAMAGED. THE RIGHT WING SPAR WAS BENT ABOUT 6 FT FROM THE TIP. REPORTEDLY, THE SPOILER HANDLE WAS NOT SECURED BEFORE TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flight control,speed brake - unlocked (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - radio communications - not possible, pilot in command
  - safety advisory - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99954](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99954-2013-03-25), registration cancelled 2013-03-25, S/N 025905, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BLANIK 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
- Serial number: 025905
- Airframe hours: 2125
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Red Baron Flying Service
- Registered owner: Red Baron Flying Service
- Departed: U59, DRIGGS, ID
- Destination: U59, DRIGGS, ID
- Airport: U59, Teton Peaks, runway 3, 5,200 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 6,260 total, 3 in this make and model, 4,117 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 165 °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 19820618024699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820618024699A), Jun 18, 1982: Let L13BLANIK, Driggs, ID, Substantial damage. Student glider pilot failed to latch spoilers prior to takeoff. Misunderstood tow pilot signal. Released tow.

## Other investigations on N99954 (1)

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.

- [NTSB ATL85LKG11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LKG11), Aug 24, 1985: Let L-13 (N99954), Huntsville, AL, substantial damage

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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