Let L-13 accident near Shelton, WA
On August 11, 1996, a Let L-13 (glider) was involved in an accident near Shelton, WA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- August 11, 1996
- Place
- Shelton, WA
- Aircraft
- Let L-13 · Glider
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 47.229°N, 123.201°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X06614
Official records · SEA96FA186
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 10, 1996, approximately 1915 Pacific daylight time, a Czechoslovakian-manufactured LET L-13 Blanik glider, N90865, being operated by Olympic Air, Inc. of Shelton, Washington, was observed by witnesses to abruptly enter a rapid descent from a right turn, 5 to 10 seconds after releasing from an aero-tow 3 miles southwest of Sanderson Field, Shelton. The aircraft was observed to continue in this rapid descent until it impacted in an area of dense vegetation which according to the towplane pilot was almost directly under the release point. The glider was substantially damaged and the recently certificated private glider pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. According to the towplane pilot, the flight was planned as a local 14 CFR 91 flight from Shelton. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan had been filed. In an interview with the towplane pilot on the day after the accident, the towplane pilot stated that the accident pilot's planned flight profile was to be an aerotow to traffic pattern altitude, followed by release, entry into the Sanderson Field airport traffic pattern, and landing. He stated that the aerotow and release were uneventful and routine, and that the release occurred at an altitude of 1,850 feet and an airspeed of 80 to 85 MPH (70 to 74 knots.) One ground witness stated that during the rapid descent, he saw the glider turning slowly to the right. Another individual, the pilot of an airplane carrying parachute jump students over Sanderson Field, stated that he observed the release, and that 5 to 10 second
Probable cause
failure of the operator to provide its pilots with information essential for an accurate determination of the glider's weight and balance, the resultant operation of the glider with a center-or-gravity that exceeded the aft limit, and the pilot's inadvertent entry into a stall/spin. Factors relating to the accident were: an incorrect placard concerning the glider's minimum front seat solo weight l
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Browse: Washington · Let aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
