Summary
On April 19, 1997, a Let BLANIK L-13 (N90620) was involved in an accident near Hemet, CA. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's failure to adjust his traffic pattern to compensate for local atmospheric conditions.
On April 19, 1997, at 1442 hours Pacific daylight time, a Blanik L-13 glider, N90620, collided with the ground approximately 1 statute mile short of the Hemet-Ryan glider port in Hemet, California. The aircraft incurred substantial damage when it impacted a fence after landing, and the private pilot received serious injuries. The flight originated at the Hemet-Ryan airport at approximately 1350 on a planned 1-hour local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight.
A glider pilot who had previously landed at Hemet-Ryan stated that she had encountered a large area of sinking air on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern.
This accident is documented in NTSB report LAX97LA165. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N90620.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's failure to adjust his traffic pattern to compensate for local atmospheric conditions.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On April 19, 1997, at 1442 hours Pacific daylight time, a Blanik L-13 glider, N90620, collided with the ground approximately 1 statute mile short of the Hemet-Ryan glider port in Hemet, California. The aircraft incurred substantial damage when it impacted a fence after landing, and the private pilot received serious injuries. The flight originated at the Hemet-Ryan airport at approximately 1350 on a planned 1-hour local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight.
A glider pilot who had previously landed at Hemet-Ryan stated that she had encountered a large area of sinking air on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX97LA165