On April 21, 1998, a Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK (registration N298BA) was involved in an aviation accident near Pipersville, PA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's misjudgment of distance and altitude, while on an approach to an off-airport landing area, which resulted in a lack of airspeed and/or altitude to reach the intended landing area (undershoot), a stall or mush into tree(s), and collision with a… This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot lost sight of his intended landing site after two hours of soaring and attempted an emergency field landing, resulting in a stall and impact with a tree and barn.
What happened
The pilot was operating a glider for approximately two hours when he became unable to locate his planned destination. As the aircraft descended, he reduced speed while searching for a suitable area to land. Just before touching the ground, the glider stalled. The aircraft struck a tree and subsequently hit the side of a barn before coming to rest upright.
The investigation
No mechanical examination or detailed investigative findings are provided in the source material regarding the cause of the stall or structural damage beyond the immediate impact description.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the accident was the loss of situational awareness regarding the landing site. The pilot's decision to continue descending without a confirmed landing spot led to an insufficient airspeed at low altitude, resulting in a stall just prior to touchdown.
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