Let L-23 SUPER BLANKIT N105LW

Summary

On 29 July 2000 at about 20:00 local time, a Let L-23 SUPER BLANKIT registered N105LW was involved in an accident near Waller, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

29 July 2000 at 20:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Waller, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Houston Gliderport (89TA)

Coordinates

30.0508, -95.9204

Aircraft

Let L-23 SUPER BLANKIT

Registration

N105LW

Category

Glider

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Waller → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW00LA219

1 person died.

the pilot's failure to maintain control of the glider while maneuvering. Contributory factors were the in-flight separation of the tow rope and the pilot's physical impairment from his use of diphenhyrdramine.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the towplane reported that the takeoff was normal, and while climbing through 600 feet agl, he initiated a turn to the east and he felt the glider release as the airplane was turning. Witnesses reported that when the towplane turned left, the glider continued straight ahead and entered a climb. The glider then entered an uncoordinated turn to the right toward the airport. Subsequently, the glider's nose dropped, and it entered a spin and impacted the ground. When the tow plane landed it was evident that the tow rope had separated, and the glider pilot had not released in the normal manner. The 5/16-inch polypropylene rope separated at a point 25 feet forward of the glider attach point. The rope's fibers, at the point of separation, were frayed and uneven. The remainder of the rope was clean and free of abrasions, knots, and nicks. According to toxicology tests, 0.034 (ug/ml,ug/g) diphenhydramine was detected in the pilot's blood, and an unquantified amount was found in the urine. Diphenhydramine is an over-the-counter drug used as an antihistamine. Results of a study on diphenhydramine concluded that it adversely affects a person's ability to maneuver an automobile.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.