Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK accident near Yoder, Kansas, June 22, 2022
On June 22, 2022 at about 4:30 pm local time, a 2000 Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK (glider), registered N364BA, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern base) near Yoder, Kansas (Sunflower Aerodrome Gliderport airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's encounter with sinking air conditions that resulted in a loss of lift and a subsequent loss of control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 22, 2022 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- Yoder, Kansas · Sunflower Aerodrome Gliderport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK, built 2000 · all L-23 SUPER BLANIKs on the register
- Registration
- N364BA · registry record · serial 008706
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight instructor reported that after demonstrating maneuvers he noticed that the glider had quickly descended to pattern altitude, so he proceeded into the traffic pattern. He slowed the glider to minimum sink airspeed and then turned onto the base leg about 200 to 250 ft above ground level. During the base leg turn, the glider continued to turn and descend, and the flight instructor was unable to maintain control. The glider impacted terrain short of the runway and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and both wings. The flight instructor reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. The flight instructor reported that there was sinking air in the flight area.
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
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during approach (VFR pattern base) defining event
- Loss of lift during approach (VFR pattern base)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: glider; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 6,143 hours in all; 359 in this make and model; 5,963 as pilot in command; 2,355 on instruments
- Last flight review: June 22, 2021
- Medical certificate: BasicMed (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: serious injuries
Dual student
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,420.9 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 4, 2022
- Maximum gross weight: 1,124 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Operator: Civil Air Patrol INC
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 7,000 ft by 200 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds; a few clouds at 1,900 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.21 inHg
- Observation at 11:52 am from KHUT, 8 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KHUT 221652Z 09010KT 10SM FEW019 26/21 A3021 RMK AO2 SLP207 T02610211
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on July 22, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.