Let L-13 N15CB
30 October 1996 · Benton, Tennessee, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 30 October 1996 at about 23:00 local time, a Let L-13 registered N15CB, operated by Wendylene, Inc, was involved in an accident near Benton, Tennessee, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 23:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Benton, Tennessee, United States
- Nearest airport
- Chillhowee Glider Port (92A)
- Coordinates
- 35.1696, -84.6492
- Aircraft
- Let L-13
- Registration
- N15CB
- Category
- Glider
- Operator
- Wendylene, Inc
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Dusk
- NTSB number
- ATL97LA013
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Probable cause
failure of the flight crew to maintain altitude/clearance above runway obstacles, and inadequate supervision by the flight instructor. Factors relating to the accident were sunglare on the canopy, and the proximity of obstacles (trees) to the runway.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The glider collided with a tree during final approach to landing on runway 21. According to the instructor and the student, they did not see the tree because of dusk lighting conditions, which placed the sun low on the horizon and produced glare on the glider canopy. The instructor stated that the tree was about 300 feet from the runway threshold. Runway obstacle information indicated that the threshold for the runway was displaced 200 feet.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Let L-13 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Aug 1996 | Let L-13 | Shelton, Washington, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 1 Nov 1997 | Let L-13 | Elkin, North Carolina, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 17 Jun 1999 | Let L-13 | Belgrade, Montana, United States | Sunbird Aviation, Inc | No injuries | - |
| 29 May 1993 | Let L-13 | Elberta, Alabama, United States | Coastal Soaring Associates Inc | No injuries | - |
| 24 Jul 1993 | Let L-13 | Durango, Colorado, United States | St. Clair, Lavern D. | Minor injuries | - |
| 4 May 1992 | Let L-13 | Boynton Beach, Florida, United States | Willis, B.n. | Minor injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Mar 1996 | Boeing 727-225 | Memphis, Tennessee, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 16 Apr 1996 | Aeronca 7BCM | Portland, Tennessee, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 14 Jun 1996 | Cessna 172N | Arlington, Tennessee, United States | Memphis East Aviation | Fatal | 1 |
| 6 Jan 1996 | Cessna 210H | Columbia, Tennessee, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 1 Feb 1996 | Douglas DC-9-32 | Nashville, Tennessee, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 8 Jul 1996 | Boeing 737-200 | Nashville, Tennessee, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |