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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

September 5, 1995 · Let L-23 Super Blanik L-23 Super · N99970

White Bear Lake, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 5, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
White Bear Lake, MN
Aircraft
Let L-23 Super Blanik L-23 Super
Tail Number
N99970
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI95LA308

The pilot reported that he was on final approach when he experienced 'quick' and 'unexpected' altitude loss. The landing gear impacted a power line. The wire broke but the glider descended onto a road. No evidence of preimpact malfunction was discovered. The pilot wrote 'I question whether I actually retracted the spoilers. This may account for the excess loss of altitude.'

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's delayed retraction of the spoilers. Factors were the excessive sink rate and the power lines.

Full Narrative

On September 5, 1995, at 1645 central daylight time, a Let L-23 Super Blanik, N99970, operated by the Redwing Soaring Association, sustained substantial damage when it impacted power lines during final approach in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. The private pilot reported no injuries. The local, personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he was on final approach and extended the spoilers to reduce his altitude. He thought he retracted the spoilers. He experienced "quick" and "unexpected" altitude loss. The landing gear impacted a power line. The wire broke but the glider descended onto a road. He wrote "I question whether I actually retracted the spoilers. This may account for the excess loss of altitude." According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who examined the wreckage, no evidence of preimpact malfunction was discovered.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:45 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLet L-23 Super Blanik L-23 Super
Tail NumberN99970
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 72 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 5 kt, gusting 3 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data