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NTSB Report

May 5, 2002 · Blanik L-13 · N711KR

Saratoga Spring, NY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 5, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Saratoga Spring, NY
Aircraft
Blanik L-13
Tail Number
N711KR
Operator
Tim Hanke
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC02LA092

After flying for approximately 1/2 hour, the flight instructor told the student to proceed back to the airport, and enter the traffic pattern. En route, the glider encountered a "heavy sink." The instructor checked the variometer and noted a 1,000-foot per minute descent. He then told the student to increase airspeed in an attempt to fly out of the sink. The instructor then realized they would not make the airport. He took the controls, and because of insufficient altitude to maneuver, setup for a downwind landing to a softball field. The glider touched down in the field, and the instructor executed a ground loop to the left to avoid hitting a fence. No significant weather was reported for the accident time and location.

NTSB Probable Cause

The glider encountering an unanticipated downdraft, which resulted in insufficient altitude to reach a suitable landing area.

Full Narrative

On May 5, 2002, about 1330 eastern daylight time, a Blanik L-13 (glider) N711KR, was substantially damaged during an off airport forced landing, near the Saratoga Springs Airport (5B2), Saratoga Springs, New York. The certificated flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local instructional flight. No flight plan was filed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the flight instructor, he and his student boarded the glider, and departed. Once airborne, the glider was towed to 1,500 feet agl, and then was released from the tow-plane about 1-mile east of the airport. After release, the glider continued to climbed to 3,000 feet agl. The student then maneuvered the glider to the south to work several thermals, and then to the northeast. After flying for approximately 1/2 hour, the instructor told the student to proceed back to the airport, and enter the traffic pattern. While en route and approximately 1.4 miles from the airport at 1,300 to 1,400 feet agl, the glider encountered "heavy sink." The instructor checked the variometer and noted a 1,000-foot per minute descent. He then told the student to increase airspeed in an attempt to fly out of the sink. When the glider was approximately 0.7 mile from the airport, the instructor realized they were not going to make the runway. He took the controls, and because of insufficient altitude to maneuver, setup for a downwind landing to a softball field. The glider touched down in the field, and the instructor executed a ground loop to the left to avoid hitting a fence straight on. The right wing struck the fence, and the glider came to a stop. Examination of the glider revealed about 5 feet of the wing had broken off from the impact. The instructor added that the glider had a 28:1 glide ratio and was capable of flying 6.8 miles from an altitude of 1,300 feet agl. A weather observation was taken about 9 minutes before the accident at the Albany International Airport (ALB), Albany, New York, which was located 21 miles to the south of the accident site, and 285 feet msl. According to the observation, the wind was variable at 4 knots, visibility was 10 miles, sky was clear, temperature was 68 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point was 34 degrees Fahrenheit, and the altimeter setting was 30.21 inches of mercury. Another weather observation was taken about 7 minutes before the accident at the Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport (GFL), Glens Falls, New York, which was located 24 miles to the northeast of the accident site, and 328 feet msl. According to the observation, the wind was variable at 5 knots, visibility was 10 miles, sky was clear, temperature was 66 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point was 36 degrees Fahrenheit, and the altimeter setting was 30.19 inches of mercury.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 EDT
Nearest AirportSaratoga Springs (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBlanik L-13
Tail NumberN711KR
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorTim Hanke
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 26 · None · None
Crew 2Age 38 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 34 C
Altimeter30.20 inHg
Observation Time16:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data