Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK N438BA

Summary

On 3 June 2023 at about 21:05 local time, a Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK registered N438BA, operated by Civil Air Patrol, was involved in an accident near Minden, Nevada, 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

3 June 2023 at 21:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Minden, Nevada, United States

Nearest airport

Minden-Tahoe (MEV)

Coordinates

39.0001, -119.7520

Aircraft

Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK

Registration

N438BA

Category

Glider

Year built

2002

Operator

Civil Air Patrol

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR23LA362

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, resulting in an impact with a taxiway sign.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the glider reported that while on downwind, the tow airplane maneuvered to avoid another aircraft, which resulted in a slack tow line. The tow line subsequently broke, and the glider pilot initiated a landing to a nearby runway from about 900 ft above ground level (agl). During the landing roll, the glider drifted right, and the right wing impacted a taxiway sign, which resulted in substantial damage to the wing spar. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.