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September 26, 1993 · Let Blanik L-13 Blanik L-1 · N52AS

Clinton, MT

Overview

Report Status
Factual report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 26, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Clinton, MT
Aircraft
Let Blanik L-13 Blanik L-1
Tail Number
N52AS
Operator
Hellgate Soaring Society
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA93LA216

DURING A SECOND TOW ATTEMPT, THE TOW ROPE BROKE FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE PILOT PULLED THE LEVER TO RELEASE THE ROPE, HOWEVER, THE ROPE DID NOT RELEASE. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE MAIN LANDING GEAR LANDED ON THE ROPE AND THE GLIDER VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE GLIDER CONTINUED TO THE SIDE OF THE AIRSTRIP AND COLLIDED WITH A STATIONARY RUNWAY BORDER CONE BEFORE THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL AND MANEUVER THE GLIDER BACK ON THE AIRSTRIP.

Full Narrative

On September 26, 1993, at 1600 mountain daylight time, a Blanik L-13, N52AS, collided with a runway border cone after the takeoff was aborted, at Clinton, Montana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The glider was substantially damaged and the certificated private pilot was not injured. The pilot reported during a telephone interview and subsequent written statement that during the first attempted takeoff the tow rope broke a few feet in front of the glider. The pilot released the broken rope and made a successful landing. The rope was repaired and a second tow was attempted. During the tow, just after liftoff, the rope broke again approximately 20 feet in front of the glider. The pilot pulled the release lever and thought that the rope released, however, the rope did not. The pilot aborted the takeoff and attempted to land on the runway. During the landing roll, the pilot stated that the main wheel landed on the rope and the glider veered to the right. The glider continued to the side of the airstrip and collided with a stationary runway border cone before the pilot was able to regain control and maneuver the glider back to the airstrip. The accident was not reported by the pilot until October 5, 1993.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 MDT
Nearest AirportCLINTON (0nm)
Runway0
Runway Length4075 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLet Blanik L-13 Blanik L-1
Tail NumberN52AS
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHellgate Soaring Society
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 61 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 12 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data