Let L-13 accident near Elkin, North Carolina, November 1, 1997
On November 1, 1997 at about 8:21 pm local time, a Let L-13 (glider), registered N65140, was substantially damaged in an accident near Elkin, North Carolina (Swan Creek Airport). It was an instructional 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 instructor's pilot's misjudgment of altitude and distance, and his inadequate compensation for the wind conditions. Unfavorable winds and a fence were contributing factors.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 1, 1997 · about 8:21 pm local time
- Place
- Elkin, North Carolina · Swan Creek Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Let L-13 · all L-13s on the register
- Registration
- N65140 · no longer on the register · serial 026358
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The instructor pilot stated that while on final approach to runway 20, the student encountered both an increase in headwinds and a sink condition. Noticing a loss of altitude, the student voiced doubt they would make the runway, and the instructor pilot took control of the glider. The instructor quickly considered and then rejected a cow pasture, and then continued his approach to runway 20. The glider collided with an airport perimeter fence, short of the runway.
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: instructor: glider; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 226 hours in all; 22 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 188 as pilot in command; 6 on instruments
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: rear
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,329 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 7, 1997; 56 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,102 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 78A at 8:09 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 20, 1,700 ft by 200 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 3,000 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:45 pm from INT, 32 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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.