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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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September 24, 1995 · Let Blanik L-13 Blanik L-1 · N38924

Como, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 24, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Como, CO
Aircraft
Let Blanik L-13 Blanik L-1
Tail Number
N38924
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW95LA405

THE GLIDER WAS BEING LAUNCHED VIA WINCH. AT AN ALTITUDE ABOUT 50 FEET, A SLACK DEVELOPED IN THE TOW LINE, CAUSING THE GLIDER TO BE RELEASED AUTOMATICALLY. THE PILOT PITCHED THE NOSE DOWN. A HIGH SINK RATE DEVELOPED AND WHEN THE PILOT FLARED, THE GLIDER LANDED HARD, COLLAPSING THE LANDING GEAR.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT ALLOWING THE GLIDER TO DEVELOP AN EXCESSIVE DESCENT RATE. A FACTOR WAS THE PREMATURE AND AUTOMATIC DISENGAGEMENT OF THE WINCH-TOW SYSTEM.

Full Narrative

On September 24, 1995, approximately 1730 mountain daylight time, a Blanik L-13, N38924, operated by Denver Soaring Council, Inc., was substantially damaged during a hard landing at Como, Colorado. The commercial pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that was being conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The following is based on the pilot/operator report. A winch tow was made from runway 06 at the Silver Heels Gliderport. At an altitude about 50 feet, a slack developed in the tow line, causing the glider to be released automatically. The pilot pitched the nose down. A high sink rate developed and when he flared, the glider landed hard, collapsing the landing gear. The glider came to a halt on the runway.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 MDT
Nearest AirportSilver Heels Gliderport (0nm)
Runway6
Runway Length4500 ft
Runway Width35 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLet Blanik L-13 Blanik L-1
Tail NumberN38924
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 69 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 4 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data