Blanik L-13 accident near Katy, Texas, July 3, 1982
On July 3, 1982 at about 10:45 pm local time, a Blanik L-13 (glider), registered N273AS, was substantially damaged in an accident near Katy, Texas (Harlican 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 NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 3, 1982 · about 10:45 pm local time
- Place
- Katy, Texas · Harlican
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Blanik L-13
- Registration
- N273AS · registry record · serial 026845
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT RENTED THE GLIDER AFTER A FLIGHT CHECK-OUT WAS COMPLETED AND WAS GIVEN AN AERIAL TOW TO AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 2000 FEET. ACCORDING TO THE PASSENGER, THE PILOT BECAME DISORIENTED AND LOST SIGHT OF THE AIRPORT. UNABLE TO FIND ANY LIFTING CURRENTS, THE PILOT WAS FORCED TO TRY AN OFF AIRPORT LANDNG. DURING THE APPROACH TO A PASTURE, THE PILOT NOTICED POWERLINES AND ATTEMPTED TO TURN AWAY. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE GROUND IN A STEEP NOSE LOW ALTITUDE.
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: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 455 hours in all; 384 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,136 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 66 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 900 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
- Operator: Houston Soaring Assoc
The flight
- Departed from: Katy TX at 5:30 pm
- Destination: Katy TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: not recorded; scat at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 203°F (95°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.