Pilot Debrief

LET L-23 SUPER BLANIK near Ridgeland, SC — 2025-09-06

Final reportERA25LA336
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Date
2025-09-06
Location
Ridgeland, SC, USA
Airport
3J1
Aircraft
LET L-23 SUPER BLANIK
Registration
N231LS
Category
Glider
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s exceedance of the glider’s critical angle of attack which resulted in a loss of control while maneuvering to return for landing after a runway overshoot.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was conducting her second solo flight in pursuit of a glider rating for her private pilot certificate. The pilot stated that while in the airport traffic pattern, she was too high on the base leg and made several 360° turns near the south end of the runway in an attempt to lose altitude. After leveling off, she realized she was still too high and entered a slip without the use of the spoilers, but the glider floated toward the departure end of the runway. With little runway remaining, she attempted a right turn, but the left wing dropped, consistent with an aerodynamic stall, and contacted the ground. The glider came to rest upright in a grassy area near the end of the runway. The fuselage and left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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