Let L-13 accident near Shelton, Washington, August 11, 1996
On August 11, 1996 at about 2:15 am local time, a Let L-13 (glider), registered N90865, was substantially damaged in an accident near Shelton, Washington (Sanderson Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
failure of the operator to provide its pilots with information essential for an accurate determination of the glider's weight and balance, the resultant operation of the glider with a center-or-gravity that exceeded the aft limit, and the pilot's inadvertent entry into a stall/spin. Factors relating to the accident were: an incorrect placard concerning the glider's minimum front seat solo weight limitation, and the pilot's lack of experience in the make and model of aircraft.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 11, 1996 · about 2:15 am local time
- Place
- Shelton, Washington · Sanderson Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Let L-13 · all L-13s on the register
- Registration
- N90865 · no longer on the register · serial 025726
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After receiving a glider certification on 7/24/96, the pilot (plt) logged about 2.1 hrs in a Let L-13 glider, before flying it solo. The initial solo was the accident flight (flt) on 8/10/96. On this flight, the plt planned to be towed to traffic pattern altitude, then release the glider, enter the traffic pattern, & land. Release occurred about 3 mi southwest of the airport at 1,850 ft. Airport elevation was 269 ft. Witnesses said the L-13 entered a right spin about 5 to 10 sec after release & continued spinning until ground impact. To keep the center-of-gravity (CG) from exceeding the aft limit, a placard had been installed in the cockpit, indicating the minimum front seat solo weight to be 150 lbs. The L-13's operating manual contained this & other info based on the L-13's original weight & balance (W/B) configuration. The plt weighed between 128 & 135 lbs, & a single 25 lb ballast bag was found in the wreckage. However, after repainting & modification with a non-standard tailwheel, the glider's revised W/B data indicated the current minimum front seat solo weight was 181 lbs. Based on this info (kept in the operator's maintenance shop), the glider's C.G. was computed to be 1.4 inches behind the aft limit. The plt's personal copy of the L-13 operating manual did not contain the revised W/B data. Copies of the glider's operating manual were being sold to renters without this info.
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: 40 hours in all; 2 in this make and model; 2 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 4 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,083 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 20, 1995; 21 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,102 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SHN at 2:00 am
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 1:56 am from OLM, 18 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.