1992-05-04: Let L-13 — Willis, B.n. — Boynton Beach, FL

Casualties unknown • Boynton Beach, FL, US

Probable cause

PREMATURE EXTENSION OF THE SPOILERS BY THE PILOT DURING APPROACH TO LAND. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS HIS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OF AIRCRAFT AND IN-FLIGHT ENCOUNTER WITH A DOWNDRAFT.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE FLT TURNED BASE WITH PARTIAL SPOILERS EXTENDED THEN TURNED FINAL, & ENCOUNTERED A 'SEVERE DOWNDRAFT.' THE PLT RETRACTED THE SPOILERS BUT THE DESCENT CONTINUED UNTIL IMPACT WITH TREES APPROXIMATELY 300 FT SHORT OF THE RWY. HE HAD ACCUMULATED 3 HRS TOTAL TIME MAKE & MODEL DURING 8 DUAL & 12 SOLO FLIGHTS IN THE PRECEDING 30 DAYS.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1992-05-04 Let L-13 accident near Boynton Beach, FL?

THE FLT TURNED BASE WITH PARTIAL SPOILERS EXTENDED THEN TURNED FINAL, & ENCOUNTERED A 'SEVERE DOWNDRAFT.' THE PLT RETRACTED THE SPOILERS BUT THE DESCENT CONTINUED UNTIL IMPACT WITH TREES APPROXIMATELY 300 FT SHORT OF THE RWY. HE HAD ACCUMULATED 3 HRS TOTAL TIME MAKE & MODEL DURING 8 DUAL & 12 SOLO FLIGHTS IN THE…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1992-05-04 involved a Let L-13, registration N99946, operated by Willis, B.n., at Boynton Beach, FL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

PREMATURE EXTENSION OF THE SPOILERS BY THE PILOT DURING APPROACH TO LAND. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS HIS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OF AIRCRAFT AND IN-FLIGHT ENCOUNTER WITH A DOWNDRAFT.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X14707. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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