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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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April 8, 1995 · Let Blanik L-13 Blanik L-1 · N48039

Brownsboro, AL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 8, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Brownsboro, AL
Aircraft
Let Blanik L-13 Blanik L-1
Tail Number
N48039
Operator
Theodore N Mavrotheris
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL95LA080

THE GLIDER INSTRUCTOR (CFI) REPORTED THAT AS THE GLIDER WAS BEING TOWED ON THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE STUDENT PILOT ACCIDENTALLY ACTIVATED THE SPOILERS. AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE TOW PLANE COULD NOT GAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE, WHILE TOWING THE GLIDER IN THIS CONFIGURATION, SO THE TOW PILOT RELEASED THE GLIDER AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 80 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL. THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT TURNED THE GLIDER TO AVOID TREES AND ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN A CLEARING; HOWEVER, THE WING OF THE GLIDER CONTACTED THE GROUND. THE GLIDER THEN ROTATED ABOUT 90 DEGREES AND SLID TO A STOP WITH SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S INADVERTENT USE OF SPOILERS DURING TAKEOFF. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE GLIDER INSTRUCTOR'S FAILURE TO IDENTIFY THE EXTENDED SPOILERS, AND THE PROXIMITY OF TREES IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

Full Narrative

On April 8, 1995, at 1700 central daylight time, a Blanik L-13 glider, N48039, collided with the ground while maneuvering for an emergency landing following an aborted takeoff near Brownsboro, Alabama. The training flight operated under provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The glider sustained substantial damage; the flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. The flight departed Brownsboro at 1658 hours. The flight instructor reported that during the takeoff roll, he was occupied assisting the student with the takeoff. He did not realize how much of the runway had been used during the takeoff roll until after the aircraft was in the air. He stated that the student was a large man, and that because of his size, his knee was located immediately under the spoiler handle. The student pilot failed to keep his hand on the spoiler handle to prevent accidental activation of the spoiler, and inadvertently deployed the spoiler with his left knee during takeoff roll as the glider was towed. Before the flight instructor could gain control of the glider, at an altitude of about 80 feet above ground level, the tow aircraft pilot released the glider. The flight instructor attempted to maneuver the glider for a landing, but the left wing collided with the ground.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 CDT
Nearest AirportMoontown Airport (1nm W)
Runway27
Runway Length2300 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLet Blanik L-13 Blanik L-1
Tail NumberN48039
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorTheodore N Mavrotheris
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data