Let BLANIK L-13 accident near Pagosa Springs, Colorado, July 4, 1997
On July 4, 1997 at about 11:30 pm local time, a Let BLANIK L-13 (glider), registered N65378, was substantially damaged in an accident near Pagosa Springs, Colorado. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper inflight planning in that he allowed the glider to descend to too low an altitude and stray too far from the airport, exceeding the aircraft's glide capabilities. A factor was his failure to utilize maximum braking action.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 4, 1997 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Pagosa Springs, Colorado
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Let BLANIK L-13 BLANIK L-1 · all BLANIK L-13s on the register
- Registration
- N65378 · no longer on the register · serial 026634
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While searching for thermals 5 miles east of the airport, the pilot realized he had insufficient altitude to glide back to the airport. He elected to land in a school soccer field. During the approach, the pilot noticed a 5-foot high hill in the middle of the field. He decided to land on the other side of the hill. After touching down, the pilot applied 'moderate braking.' The aircraft went off the field and collided with an embankment next to a road.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 275 hours in all; 200 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 170 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: rear
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,226 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 17, 1997
- Maximum gross weight: 1,100 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 2V1 CO at 11:41 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 13 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 pm from DRO, 35 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.