Let L-13 N3458

Summary

On 16 September 1989 at about 00:30 local time, a Let L-13 registered N3458, operated by Chuck Gibbs, was involved in an accident near Buena Vista, Colorado, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

16 September 1989 at 00:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Buena Vista, Colorado, United States

Nearest airport

Buena Vista (7V1)

Coordinates

38.8293, -106.1409

Aircraft

Let L-13

Registration

N3458

Category

Glider

Operator

Chuck Gibbs

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DEN89LA210

1 person died.

A PREMATURE RELEASE OF THE GLIDER TOW LINE BY THE GLIDER PILOT AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED, WHILE MANEUVERING BACK TOWARD THE RUNWAY, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PLT WAS GIVING A PASSENGER A GLIDER RIDE. THE FLT WAS LAUNCHED FROM A 9000 FT RWY (RWY 15) WITH AN AUTO TOW IN WIND THAT WAS FROM 300 DEG AT 4 KTS. A WITNESS RPRTD THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF SEEMED NORMAL UNTIL THE PLT RELEASED THE GLIDER AT ABOUT 300 FT AGL. THE PLT THEN BEGAN A LEVEL LEFT TURN WITH INCREASING BANK. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE GLIDER PITCHED DOWN & CRASHED AFTER COMPLETING ABOUT 300 DEG OF TURN. IMPACT OCCURRED ON AN INCLINED BANK AS THE GLIDER WAS IN AN EXTREME NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.