What happened
During the landing sequence in a Blanik L-13, the pilot initially attempted to decrease the sink rate by deploying some spoilers while adjacent to the intended touchdown point. After initiating a left turn toward the base leg, the pilot realized the aircraft altitude remained too high and attempted to deploy the full spoilers. However, ground observers noted that the spoilers were not deployed; instead, the flaps were extended.
On final approach, the pilot lowered the nose to attempt a touchdown on the runway, but the aircraft began to porpoise due to excessive airspeed. Approximately 50 feet from the departure end of the runway and at an altitude of less than 15 feet, the pilot executed a maneuver to lift the aircraft off the ground to avoid striking a property fence and crossing Highway 290.
The pilot steered the glider over the highway and forced it into a dirt parking lot. During this landing, the aircraft struck a neutral power line and came to a stop after impacting a metal building. The pilot, a private pilot rated student with 7 hours of total glider time, was not injured.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the control inputs made during the approach. In the Blanik L-13, the handle for the spoilers is positioned directly underneath the handle used to deploy the flaps. The pilot stated that while concentrating on other landing factors, they inadvertently pulled the wrong lever.