Let L-13 N53AS

Summary

On 4 August 1991 at about 20:45 local time, a Let L-13 registered N53AS, operated by Ames Soaring Club, was involved in an accident near Byron, California, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

4 August 1991 at 20:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Byron, California, United States

Coordinates

37.8493, -121.6198

Aircraft

Let L-13

Registration

N53AS

Category

Glider

Operator

Ames Soaring Club

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX91LA349

Nobody was injured.

THE ON GROUND COLLISION WITH A HIDDEN DITCH NOT VISIBLE TO THE PILOT DURING THE LANDING ROLL OUT PHASE OF A FORCED LANDING.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT SAID HE WAS RETURNING TO THE GLIDER PORT AFTER A LOCAL SOARING FLIGHT DUE TO A LACK OF LIFT. DURING THE FLIGHT BACK TO THE AIRPORT THE PILOT BECAME AWARE THAT THE RATE OF DESCENT WAS TOO HIGH AND THE GLIDER WOULD NOT MAKE THE AIRPORT RUNWAY. THE PILOT SET UP TO LAND IN A VACANT FIELD COVERED WITH MEDIUM HEIGHT GRASS. THE GLIDER COLLIDED WITH A DITCH DURING THE LANDING ROLL OUT IN THE FIELD. THE DITCH WAS NOT VISIBLE TO THE PILOT UNTIL THE LATTER STAGES OF THE LANDING ROLL OUT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.