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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, 1987 · Let L-13 · N38924

Buena Vista, CO

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 5, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Buena Vista, CO
Aircraft
Let L-13
Tail Number
N38924
Operator
Denver Soaring Council
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN87LA236

THE PLT WAS FERRYING THE GLIDER TO BUENA VISTA, COLORADO & HAD PREVIOUSLY OBTAINED PERMISSION TO LAND ON A CLOSED RWY. AFTER BEING TOWED TO THE BUENA VISTA AREA, HE RELEASED THE GLIDER FROM THE TOW PLANE & FLEW IN THE LOCAL AREA FOR ABOUT 40 MIN. HE THEN DSCNDD & LANDED ON A SOD STRIP BESIDE THE PAVED RWY. WHILE LANDING, HE STEARED THE GLIDER TO THE WEST TO AVOID ACFT THAT HAD BEEN ASSEMBLED & PARKED ON AN APRON. RPRTDLY, HE ALLOWED THE GLIDER TO GET TOO CLOSE TO THE EDGE OF THE STRIP. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE TAIL OF THE GLIDER HIT AN OLD TIRE, DAMAGING THE ELEVATORS & REAR-MOST BULKHEAD OF THE TAIL SECTION.

Full Narrative

THE PLT WAS FERRYING THE GLIDER TO BUENA VISTA, COLORADO & HAD PREVIOUSLY OBTAINED PERMISSION TO LAND ON A CLOSED RWY. AFTER BEING TOWED TO THE BUENA VISTA AREA, HE RELEASED THE GLIDER FROM THE TOW PLANE & FLEW IN THE LOCAL AREA FOR ABOUT 40 MIN. HE THEN DSCNDD & LANDED ON A SOD STRIP BESIDE THE PAVED RWY. WHILE LANDING, HE STEARED THE GLIDER TO THE WEST TO AVOID ACFT THAT HAD BEEN ASSEMBLED & PARKED ON AN APRON. RPRTDLY, HE ALLOWED THE GLIDER TO GET TOO CLOSE TO THE EDGE OF THE STRIP. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE TAIL OF THE GLIDER HIT AN OLD TIRE, DAMAGING THE ELEVATORS & REAR-MOST BULKHEAD OF THE TAIL SECTION.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 MDT
Nearest AirportBuena Vista (0nm N)
Runway14
Runway Length4700 ft
Runway Width30 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLet L-13
Tail NumberN38924
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDenver Soaring Council
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 29 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 5 kt, gusting 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data