Let LF-13 accident near Readington, New Jersey, November 1, 1992
On November 1, 1992 at about 9:23 pm local time, a Let LF-13 (glider), registered N13WG, was substantially damaged in an accident near Readington, New Jersey (Solberg-Hunterdon airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S POORLY PLANNED APPROACH FOR LANDING WHICH RESULTED IN AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING IN UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 1, 1992 · about 9:23 pm local time
- Place
- Readington, New Jersey · Solberg-Hunterdon
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Let LF-13
- Registration
- N13WG · registry record · serial 174812
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT WAS IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN WHEN HE REALIZED HE WOULD NOT MAKE THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT PLANNED HIS LANDING INTO AN OPEN FIELD WHILE ON BASE LEG. DURING TOUCHDOWN, HE ENCOUNTERED RISING TERRAIN THAT WAS MASKED BY THE GRASS IN THE FIELD. THE WINGS OF THE GLIDER WERE BENT DOWNWARD DURING THE LANDING.
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: 46 hours in all; 3 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 28 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,047 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 5, 1992; 10 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,102 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 4, 2,000 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 6,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°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.