On June 20, 1996, an Aerotechnik L-13 (registration N21400) was involved in an aviation accident near Wichita, KS. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The motor glider's battery did not have sufficient power to operate the starter. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A motor glider pilot shut down the engine at 4,500 ft, soared for 15 minutes, then could not restart due to insufficient battery power, landing in a field east of the destination airport with substantial damage.
Incident
According to the pilot's written statement, the motor glider climbed to 4,500 feet mean sea level, after which the engine was shut down and the aircraft soared for approximately 15 minutes. When the pilot attempted to restart the engine, the battery did not have enough power to operate the starter.
Landing
Unable to restart the engine, the pilot landed the motor glider in a field located three miles east of the intended destination airport.
Damage
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the wreckage and reported that the motor glider sustained substantial damage when it struck ditches during the landing.
Probable cause
The motor glider's battery did not have sufficient power to operate the starter.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 20 Jun 1996 Aerotechnik L-13 accident near Wichita, KS?
A motor glider pilot shut down the engine at 4,500 ft, soared for 15 minutes, then could not restart due to insufficient battery power, landing in a field east of the destination airport with substantial damage.
Were there any fatalities in the 20 Jun 1996 Aerotechnik L-13 accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 20 Jun 1996 involved an Aerotechnik L-13, registration N21400, at Wichita, KS.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The motor glider's battery did not have sufficient power to operate the starter.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…