Aviation Accident Summary DEN01LA143

Morgan, UT, USA

Aircraft #1

N310GM

Blanik L-13

Analysis

The glider was a little high as the pilot approached the airport for landing. She pulled the spoiler handle twice and heard what she thought was the sound of the spoilers deploying, but failed to verify it visually. She had actually pulled the flap handle. The glider overshot the runway and she elected to land on a road adjacent to the departure end of the runway. The right wing was severed when the glider struck a tree and ground looped. The empennage was also torn off. The pilot said the flap handle is next to the spoiler handle and they are identical in appearance. The flap handle was found unlocked and half deployed; the spoiler handle was stowed.

Factual Information

On August 11, 2001, approximately 1250 mountain daylight time, a Blanik L-13, N310GM, was substantially damaged when it collided with a tree and ground looped during landing on a road near Morgan, Utah. The private pilot and her passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Morgan approximately 1220. The following is based on an FAA inspector's verbal report of a conversation he had with the pilot, and the accident report submitted by the pilot. The glider was a little high as the pilot approached the airport for landing. She pulled the spoiler handle twice and heard what she thought was the sound of the spoilers deploying, but failed to verify it visually. She said she had actually pulled the flap handle. The glider overshot the runway and she elected to land on a road adjacent to the departure end of the runway. The right wing was severed when it struck a tree and the glider ground looped. The empennage was also torn off. The pilot said the flap handle is next to the spoiler handle and they are identical in appearance. The flap handle was found unlocked and half deployed; the spoiler handle was stowed.

Probable Cause and Findings

the pilot's inadvertent lowering of the flaps and her failure to extend the spoilers.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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