Let L-13 N640RM
29 May 1993 · Elberta, Alabama, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 29 May 1993 at about 21:15 local time, a Let L-13 registered N640RM, operated by Coastal Soaring Associates Inc, was involved in an accident near Elberta, Alabama, 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.
The record
- Date
- at 21:15
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Elberta, Alabama, United States
- Coordinates
- 30.4091, -87.6000
- Aircraft
- Let L-13
- Registration
- N640RM
- Category
- Glider
- Operator
- Coastal Soaring Associates Inc
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- ATL93LA097
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, ABOUT FIFTEEN MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT, HE DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE POINT. UPON TURNING EASTWARD, HE ENCOUNTERED A CLOUD LAYER AT 4000 FEET. WHILE MANEUVERING AROUND THE CLOUDS, THE FLIGHT ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT, AT WHICH TIME, THE GLIDER DEVELOPED A 4000 FOOT PER MINUTE RATE OF DESCENT. THE PILOT MANAGED TO ARREST THE SINK RATE BUT THE GLIDER'S LEFT WINGTIP COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AS THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE REPORTED WITH THE GLIDER. THE PILOT DID NOT RECEIVE A WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Let L-13 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Jul 1993 | Let L-13 | Durango, Colorado, United States | St. Clair, Lavern D. | Minor injuries | - |
| 4 May 1992 | Let L-13 | Boynton Beach, Florida, United States | Willis, B.n. | Minor injuries | - |
| 26 Sep 1992 | Let L-13 | New Smyrna Bch, Florida, United States | Precision Soaring, Inc. | Serious injuries | - |
| 14 Mar 1992 | Let L-13 | Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, United States | Harry C Samuel | No injuries | - |
| 4 Aug 1991 | Let L-13 | Byron, California, United States | Ames Soaring Club | No injuries | - |
| 1 Jul 1991 | Let L-13 | Driggs, Idaho, United States | James Ball & Eric Soyland | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jul 1993 | Piper PA-28-140 | Clayton, Alabama, United States | Kaiser, James R. | Fatal | 1 |
| 12 Jul 1993 | Hughes 369HS | Talladega, Alabama, United States | Allison, David C. | Fatal | 1 |
| 28 Jul 1993 | Cessna 172M | Harvest, Alabama, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 15 Jun 1993 | Sikorsky S-76A | Cullman, Alabama, United States | Southern Company Services, Inc | No injuries | - |
| 1 Jan 1993 | Luscombe 8A | Lillian, Alabama, United States | Peterson, Charles H. | Fatal | 1 |
| 1 Jan 1993 | Piper PA-28-140 | Brilliant, Alabama, United States | Thomas, Aaron S. | Fatal | 2 |