# NTSB SEA89LA003: Let L-13, N9241Z, Enumclaw, WA, October 2, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 2, 1988, 16:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Enumclaw, WA
- Coordinates: 47.099449, -121.600036 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0994&lon=-121.6000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 6, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40944
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40944/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA003

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO BECOME TOO CLOSE TO TERRAIN WHILE SOARING. A STEEP TURN TO REVERSE DIRECTION RESULTED IN ENTRY INTO AN ACCELERATED STALL AT LOW ALTITUDE.THE PILOT LOWERED THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT TO RECOVER, HOWEVER, WHILE LOWERING THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT TREE TOPS WERE STRUCK IN FLIGHT. ALTHOUGH THE LEFT AILERON, HORIZONTAL STABILIZER AND ELEVATOR WERE DAMAGED, THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AND LAND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9241Z (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: LET L-13
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 26502
- Engines: unknown UNKOWN unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Puget Sound Soaring Assoc Inc.
- Registered owner: Puget Sound Soaring Assc. Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ENUMCLAW, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 3,261 total, 28 in this make and model, 1,732 as pilot in command, 212 in the last 90 days, 82 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 3 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19881002048569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881002048569A), Oct 2, 1988: Let L13BLANIK, Enumclaw, WA, Substantial damage. Stalled while ridge soaring. Struck tree tops, recovered and returned to airport.

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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