1995-04-08: Let BLANIK L-13 — Theodore N. Mavrotheris — Brownsboro, AL

Casualties unknown • Brownsboro, AL, US

Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S INADVERTENT USE OF SPOILERS DURING TAKEOFF. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE GLIDER INSTRUCTOR'S FAILURE TO IDENTIFY THE EXTENDED SPOILERS, AND THE PROXIMITY OF TREES IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE GLIDER INSTRUCTOR (CFI) REPORTED THAT AS THE GLIDER WAS BEING TOWED ON THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE STUDENT PILOT ACCIDENTALLY ACTIVATED THE SPOILERS. AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE TOW PLANE COULD NOT GAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE, WHILE TOWING THE GLIDER IN THIS CONFIGURATION, SO THE TOW PILOT RELEASED THE GLIDER AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 80 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL. THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT TURNED THE GLIDER TO AVOID TREES AND ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN A CLEARING; HOWEVER, THE WING OF THE GLIDER CONTACTED THE GROUND. THE GLIDER THEN ROTATED ABOUT 90 DEGREES AND SLID TO A STOP WITH SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1995-04-08 Let BLANIK L-13 accident near Brownsboro, AL?

THE GLIDER INSTRUCTOR (CFI) REPORTED THAT AS THE GLIDER WAS BEING TOWED ON THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE STUDENT PILOT ACCIDENTALLY ACTIVATED THE SPOILERS. AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE TOW PLANE COULD NOT GAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE, WHILE TOWING THE GLIDER IN THIS CONFIGURATION, SO THE TOW PILOT RELEASED THE GLIDER AT AN ALTITUDE OF…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1995-04-08 involved a Let BLANIK L-13, registration N48039, operated by Theodore N. Mavrotheris, at Brownsboro, AL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE STUDENT PILOT'S INADVERTENT USE OF SPOILERS DURING TAKEOFF. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE GLIDER INSTRUCTOR'S FAILURE TO IDENTIFY THE EXTENDED SPOILERS, AND THE PROXIMITY OF TREES IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001207X03223. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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