Blanik L-13 accident near Middlefield, Ohio, November 1, 2009
On November 1, 2009 at about 9:10 pm local time, a Blanik L-13 (glider), registered N1142, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Middlefield, Ohio (Geauga County Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The student pilot's improper control inputs which resulted in the inadvertent stall of the glider.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 1, 2009 · about 9:10 pm local time
- Place
- Middlefield, Ohio · Geauga County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Blanik L-13
- Registration
- N1142 · no longer on the register · serial 026315
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The glider pilot, who was a certificated flight instructor (CFI), reported that he was following the student pilot on the controls during the takeoff climb. He observed the tow plane rock its wings indicating to the glider to “wave off”. The CFI took control of the glider and stated, “It’s my airplane.” He released the tow line, turned 180 degrees to return to the airport, and lowered the nose to increase aircraft energy. The student felt they were too low to the ground and panicked. The student pilot grabbed the controls and pulled back on the stick. The CFI could not overpower the student on the controls and the airplane started to spin left. He picked up the left wing by applying opposite rudder. The glider impacted a tractor dealer’s parking lot. The inspection of the glider revealed that it sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. No pre-impact anomalies were noted.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Glider tow event during initial climb
- Low altitude operation/event during initial climb
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Capability exceeded
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Student pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: glider; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 1,840 hours in all; 10 in this make and model; 44 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 1,730 as pilot in command; 120 on instruments
- Last flight review: July 18, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: serious injuries
Crew member
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 5 hours in all; 5 in this make and model; 1 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
Crew member
No details recorded.
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,752 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, August 27, 2009
- Maximum gross weight: 1,100 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Cleveland Soaring Society INC
The flight
- Departed from: 7G8 Middlefield OH at 9:10 pm
- Destination: 7G8 Middlefield OH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 29, 3,499 ft by 65 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.19 inHg
- Observation at 8:51 pm from YNG, 21 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.