Let L23 N342BA

Summary

On 21 July 2017 at about 17:20 local time, a Let L23 registered N342BA was involved in an accident near Deatsville, Alabama, United States. One person was on board and 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.

Date

21 July 2017 at 17:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Deatsville, Alabama, United States

Nearest airport

Wetumpka Muni (08A)

Coordinates

32.5128, -86.3997

Aircraft

Let L23

Registration

N342BA

Category

Glider

Year built

1999

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Deatsville → Deatsville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA17CA427

1 person had minor injuries.

The student pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees and power lines while landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The Chief of Safety for the operator reported that the student pilot was on a solo flight in a glider and on the return leg to the airport when he noticed that he "seemed to be sinking quickly." While talking with his instructor over the radio and scanning for an open field, he decided to land on a street in a nearby neighborhood. While on approach, the glider struck tree tops and then a power line. Subsequently, the glider rolled to the right and the right wing struck the ground. The glider came to rest on the right side of the fuselage and the student pilot exited the glider. The glider sustained substantial damage to both wings and fuselage. The Chief of Safety reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system about 8 nautical miles from the accident site reported, about the time of the accident, wind calm, temperature 91°F, dew point 75°F, and altimeter setting 30.04 inches of mercury.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.