# NTSB WPR10CA389: Let L 33 Solo, N315BA, Adelanto, CA, August 6, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 6, 2010, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Adelanto, CA - Coordinates: 34.566387, -117.67028 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5664&lon=-117.6703&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 7, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 76882 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA389 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76882/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76882 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA389 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inability to make it to the airport as a result of his inadequate planning for the gusting headwinds. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Let L 33 SOLO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=1360309), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: weather planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Let L 33 SOLO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020/cases.md?model=1360309), [All aircraft, 156 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Let L 33 SOLO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=1360309), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Let L 33 SOLO, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=1360309), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Let L 33 SOLO, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1360309), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Let L 33 SOLO, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1360309), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after a normal release about 2 miles north of the airport at 3,000 feet, he turned the glider south towards the airport. Approximately 1 mile from the airport the glider encountered strong winds from the south and it entered a high rate of descent with minimal forward motion. The pilot determined the glider would not make the airport and he executed an off-airport landing. During the landing, the right wing struck a bush and the glider ground-looped, substantially damaging its wings and fuselage. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe prior to the accident. An airport located about 9 miles to the east of the accident airport indicated at the time of the accident wind was from 180 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 16 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that after a normal release about 2 miles north of the airport at 3,000 feet, he turned the glider south towards the airport. Approximately 1 mile from the airport the glider encountered strong winds from the south and it entered a high rate of descent with minimal forward motion. The pilot determined the glider would not make the airport and he executed an off-airport landing. During landing, the right wing struck a bush and the glider ground looped, substantially damaging its wings and fuselage. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe prior to the accident. An airport located about 9 miles to the east of the accident airport indicated at the time of the accident wind was from 180 degrees at 11 knots gusting to 16 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N315BA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N315BA-2010-10-07), registration cancelled 2010-10-07, S/N 970415, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LET L 33 SOLO - Registry model: [Let L 33 SOLO](https://openairdocs.org/model/let-l-33-solo) (registry code 1360309) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 970415 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 0CL1, Adelanto, CA - Destination: 0CL1, Adelanto, CA - Airport: 0CL1, Krey Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 7, 2009; seat: center; flight hours: 207 total, 13 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 11 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 99 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: KVCV, 9 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 20100806040809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100806040809A), Aug 6, 2010: Let L 33 SOLO, Adelanto, CA, Substantial damage. The pilot was on a local glider flight and launched via an aircraft tow. The pilot stated in his interview that he checked the weather via the computer and… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 28, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76882. 621 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 621 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336222&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.