Let Blanik L-13 accident near Durango, Colorado, June 3, 2004
On June 3, 2004 at about 9:55 pm local time, a Let Blanik L-13 (glider), registered N99860, was substantially damaged in an accident near Durango, Colorado (Val - Air airport). It was a personal 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 improper in-flight planning and decision and his failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance. Contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain, and the low approach.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 3, 2004 · about 9:55 pm local time
- Place
- Durango, Colorado · Val - Air · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Let Blanik L-13 · all Blanik L-13s on the register
- Registration
- N99860 · no longer on the register · serial 026511
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
As the flight approached the airport, the pilot told the passenger that "he likes to come in down to the landing strip and then take off again." They flew over the field to observe the winds. They were calm. According to the pilot's statement, he decided to "fly a low approach over the field and turn around and land." During the pull-up from the low approach, the pilot expected to gain at least "300 feet"; however, he only gained 100 feet. At this point, the glider was over the river with trees ahead and he elected to maneuver back to the field. During the turn back to the runway, the right wing impacted the ground and the airplane cart wheeled, causing substantial damage.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: glider; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 1,500 hours in all; 50 in this make and model; 45 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: March 16, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,957.6 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 11, 2004; 27 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,102 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine:; 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CD82 Durango CO at 9:18 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35, 3,500 ft by 135 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.22 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from DRO, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
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.