Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK N373BA

Summary

On 31 July 2021 at about 16:58 local time, a Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK registered N373BA, operated by Greater Boston Soaring Club, was involved in an accident near Sterling, Massachusetts, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

31 July 2021 at 16:58

Classification

Accident

Location

Sterling, Massachusetts, United States

Nearest airport

Sterling Airport (3B3)

Coordinates

42.4259, -71.7929

Aircraft

Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK

Registration

N373BA

Category

Glider

Year built

2000

Operator

Greater Boston Soaring Club

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Minor

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA21LA327

1 person was seriously injured.

The flight instructor’s lack of remedial action, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall in the landing flare and a hard landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The flight instructor reported that student pilot was flying the glider as it approached to land with the air brakes in the fully extended position. As the student pilot attempted to flare, the glider pitched up and stalled several feet above the runway, resulting in a hard landing. During the hard landing, the glider sustained minor damage and the student pilot was not injured; however, the flight instructor was seriously injured. The flight instructor added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the glider and he should have had his hands in close proximity to the controls to be ready to prevent any abrupt inputs and take control if required.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.