Let L-23 accident near Groveland, Florida, November 29, 2002
On November 29, 2002 at about 9:30 pm local time, a Let L-23 (glider), registered N41BW, was substantially damaged in an accident near Groveland, Florida (Seminole Lake airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's failure to extend the dive brakes during approach and his excessive airspeed and improper landing flare which resulted in the airplane nosing down and impacting with the runway.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 29, 2002 · about 9:30 pm local time
- Place
- Groveland, Florida · Seminole Lake · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Let L-23 · all L-23s on the register
- Registration
- N41BW · registry record · serial 917921
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Witnesses saw the glider heading south about 8 to 10 feet above the runway surface, at a fast rate of speed, spoilers not deployed, and intending to land. The witnesses observed the glider flare several feet above the runway, pull up at a high angle of attack, and high rate of speed. Before coming to rest the glider began a "wheelbarrow" effect with several pull-ups and descents several times, nosed down at about 30 degree angle, and impact the runway surface very hard. An examination of the dive brakes after the accident did not reveal any discrepancies. The pilot was given an NTSB Pilot/Operator Accident Report Form 6120.1/2 by the FAA inspector, but a completed form was not received by the NTSB.
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, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 400 hours in all; 70 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: May 4, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (expired)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,885 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, August 20, 2002; 65 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 406 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine:; 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 6FL0 Groveland FL at 9:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 3,000 ft by 200 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 8 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 2,900 ft; clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observation at 9:04 pm from LEE, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.