Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK N364BA

Summary

On 22 June 2022 at about 16:30 local time, a Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK registered N364BA, operated by Civil Air Patrol Inc, was involved in an accident near Yoder, Kansas, 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.

Date

22 June 2022 at 16:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Yoder, Kansas, United States

Nearest airport

Sunflower Aerodrome Gliderport (SN76)

Coordinates

37.9397, -97.9047

Aircraft

Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK

Registration

N364BA

Category

Glider

Year built

2000

Operator

Civil Air Patrol Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN22LA279

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's encounter with sinking air conditions that resulted in a loss of lift and a subsequent loss of control.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The flight instructor reported that after demonstrating maneuvers he noticed that the glider had quickly descended to pattern altitude, so he proceeded into the traffic pattern. He slowed the glider to minimum sink airspeed and then turned onto the base leg about 200 to 250 ft above ground level. During the base leg turn, the glider continued to turn and descend, and the flight instructor was unable to maintain control. The glider impacted terrain short of the runway and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and both wings. The flight instructor reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. The flight instructor reported that there was sinking air in the flight area.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.