DRIGGS, ID, USA
N99954
BLANIK L-13
THE PILOT HELD A COMMERCIAL, AIRLINE TRANSPORT CERTIFICATE, BUT HAD ONLY A STUDENT GLIDER CERTIFICATE. DURING A TOWED TAKEOFF, WITNESSES OBSERVED THE SPOILERS EXTEND AFTER ABOUT 200 FT OF GROUND ROLL. THE TOW PILOT GAVE AN ARM SIGNAL TO INDICATE A PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE GLIDER PILOT REPORTED THAT HE MISINTERPRETED THE SIGNAL AND ELECTED TO MAKE AN OFF FIELD LANDING. HE WAS UNAWARE THAT THE SPOILERS WERE UNLATCHED. AFTER BEING RELEASED FROM THE TOW PLANE, THE GLIDER TOUCHED DOWN ABOUT 200 FT BEYOND THE RUNWAY, RIGHT WING LOW, AND WAS DAMAGED. THE RIGHT WING SPAR WAS BENT ABOUT 6 FT FROM THE TIP. REPORTEDLY, THE SPOILER HANDLE WAS NOT SECURED BEFORE TAKEOFF.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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