Let L13 accident near Enumclaw, Washington, October 28, 2019
On October 28, 2019, a 2000 Let L13 (glider), registered N213TA, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Enumclaw, Washington (Bergseth Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain a proper glidepath, which resulted in a collision with trees.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 28, 2019
- Place
- Enumclaw, Washington · Bergseth Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Let L13 AC, built 2000 · all L13s on the register
- Registration
- N213TA · no longer on the register · serial 008606
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, after soaring atop ridgelines in a glider, he initiated an approach. During final, the pilot put the glider in a slip to lose altitude and intercept an "appropriate glideslope." However, the right wing impacted treetops and then came to rest inverted. The glider sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Collision during takeoff/land during landing defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Not attained/maintained
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 38 hours in all; 19 in this make and model; 16 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 14, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 692 hours in all; 51 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: August 20, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,141.4 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 3, 2018
- Maximum gross weight: 1,050 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Operator: Puget Sound Soaring Association Inc
The flight
- Departed from: WN76 Enumclaw WA at 11:35 pm
- Destination: WN76 Enumclaw WA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 10, 2,100 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.37 inHg
- Observation at 11:55 pm from KZSE, 11 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on January 31, 2020. 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, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photo | PDF, 1 page | 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.