N284BA Let L-33 Solo accident

NTSB NYC08CA031 · 2007-11-11 · Louisburg, NC · near 79NC

Docket — crew, injuries and powerplant

Summary

After being towed to an altitude of 1,800 feet, the pilot of the LET L-33 Solo glider released the towline and began "thermaling" to the northwest of the airport. After flying for approximately 11 nautical miles uneventfully, the pilot turned back to the airport. Then while thermaling on the return leg, the glider lost altitude due to the "lift conditions," and the pilot performed an off-field landing. After touching down in a hay field, the glider struck a grass covered culvert and was substantially damaged.

Full narrative

After being towed to an altitude of 1,800 feet, the pilot of the LET L-33 Solo glider released the towline and began "thermaling" to the northwest of the airport. After flying for approximately 11 nautical miles uneventfully, the pilot turned back to the airport. Then while thermaling on the return leg, the glider lost altitude due to the "lift conditions," and the pilot performed an off-field landing. After touching down in a hay field, the glider struck a grass covered culvert and was substantially damaged.

Probable cause

The flight's encounter with an area of no thermal lift. Contributing factors to the accident were the pilot's inadvertent selection of unsuitable terrain with a hidden obstruction. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident.

Circumstances

Event type
Accident
Highest injury
None
Weather conditions
Visual Meteorological Cond
Light condition
Day
Sky condition
NONE
Ceiling (ft)
0
Visibility (sm)
10
Wind direction
300
Wind speed (kt)
5
Temperature (F)
61
Nearest airport
Ball Airport
Distance from field
2.0
Airport elevation
366

Aircraft

RegistrationMakeModelDamageFAR part
N284BA LET L-33 Solo SUBS 091

Sequence of events

#OccurrencePhase
1 240 Cruise
2 180 Cruise
3 320 Cruise

Findings

Finding
20000 cause
19200 factor
24029 factor