Aviation Accident Summary SEA93LA141

ENUMCLAW, WA, USA

Aircraft #1

N82AS

LET BLANIK L-13

Analysis

AT THE END OF A LOCAL FAMILIARIZATION FLIGHT, THE GLIDER LANDED APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET FROM THE END OF THE RUNWAY. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE LEFT WING CONTACTED THE TALL GRASS NEAR THE RUNWAY EDGES AND SPUN THE GLIDER TO THE LEFT. THE RIGHT WING CONTACTED THE SURFACE AND THE GLIDER CAME TO REST 90 DEGREES FROM THE RUNWAY HEADING. NORMAL PROCEDURES FOR LANDING IS TO LAND 500 FEET OR MORE DOWN THE RUNWAY TO AVOID THE TALL GRASS NEAR THE APPROACH END. THE SECOND PILOT ON BOARD THE GLIDER REPORTED THAT WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH, HE TOLD THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO LAND FURTHER DOWN THE RUNWAY.

Factual Information

On June 26, 1993, at 1800 hours Pacific daylight time, a LET Blanik L 13, N82AS, collided with the terrain during the landing roll at a private airstrip near Enumclaw, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The glider was substantially damaged and both certificated private pilots were not injured. The second pilot reported that he was asked to fly with the pilot in command to familiarize the pilot in command with the area. The second pilot sat in the rear seat, while the pilot in command was in the front seat and in control of the flight controls for the entire flight. After the flight, a landing was set up to the east. The glider touched down approximately 300 feet from the end of the runway. During the landing roll, the left wing caught in the tall grass next to the runway and the glider spun to the left and skidded a short distance. The right wing contacted the surface and the glider came to rest approximately 90 degrees from the runway heading. The second pilot reported that touchdown is normally made at 500 feet down the runway where the grass is always kept short. The second pilot reported that he did mention this to the pilot in command while on final approach.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH GEOGRAPHIC AREA AND THE GRASS.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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