Blanik L-13 N711KR

Summary

On 5 May 2002 at about 17:30 local time, a Blanik L-13 registered N711KR, operated by Tim Hanke, was involved in an accident near Saratoga Spring, New York, United States. 2 people were 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

5 May 2002 at 17:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Saratoga Spring, New York, United States

Nearest airport

Saratoga Springs (5B2)

Coordinates

43.0511, -73.8611

Aircraft

Blanik L-13

Registration

N711KR

Category

Glider

Operator

Tim Hanke

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Saratoga Spring → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC02LA092

Nobody was injured.

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

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.