Blanik L-13 N9297Z
4 August 2001 · Marlette, Michigan, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 4 August 2001 at about 19:00 local time, a Blanik L-13 registered N9297Z, operated by Peter Sisoy, was involved in an accident near Marlette, Michigan, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 19:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Marlette, Michigan, United States
- Nearest airport
- Marlette Township (77G)
- Coordinates
- 43.3195, -83.0808
- Aircraft
- Blanik L-13
- Registration
- N9297Z
- Category
- Glider
- Operator
- Peter Sisoy
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Marlette → Marlette
- Aircraft damage
- Minor
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CHI01LA277
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Probable cause
Ground crew personnel improperly connected the tow winch cable prior to takeoff which resulted in one side of the winch cable coming disconnected. Factors associated with the accident were the ditch and the tree branch which the airplane contacted.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The CFI reported that during the takeoff the left hook of the winch harness released, uncommanded, from the center of gravity attachment. The glider yawed to the left toward a ditch on the west side of the runway. The CFI applied right aileron and full right rudder in an attempt to avoid the ditch however the glider continued into the ditch. The glider came to rest bridging the ditch on a heading of east. He reported that the ditch was full of broken and cut down brush and saplings. During the impact, a broken branch penetrated the left side of the cockpit and impaled itself in the CFI's right calf. The CFI remained hospitalized for five days following the accident. Members of the glider club reported that they had hooked both the left and right side cables prior to the takeoff. Inspection of the tow winch failed to reveal any mechanical failure/malfunction.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Blanik L-13 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Aug 2001 | Blanik L-13 | Morgan, Utah, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 5 May 2002 | Blanik L-13 | Saratoga Spring, New York, United States | Tim Hanke | No injuries | - |
| 31 Jul 2002 | Blanik L-13 | Belgrade, Montana, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 1 Nov 2009 | Blanik L-13 | Middlefield, Ohio, United States | Cleveland Soaring Society Inc | Serious injuries | - |
| 20 May 1982 | Blanik L-13 | Warren, Minnesota, United States | N.d. State College | Minor injuries | - |
| 3 Jul 1982 | Blanik L-13 | Katy, Texas, United States | Houston Soaring Assoc | Serious injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Sep 2001 | Beechcraft C23 | St. Helen, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 22 Jul 2001 | Cessna 182T | Fowlerville, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 20 Jul 2001 | Cessna U206G | Freemont, Michigan, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 28 Aug 2001 | Champion 7GCAA | Romeo, Michigan, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 28 Aug 2001 | Dassault/Sud FAN JET FALCON | Detroit, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 12 Jun 2001 | Giackino EXEC 162F | Manistique, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |