Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

On September 24, 1995, approximately 1730 mountain daylight time, a Blanik L-13, N38924, operated by Denver Soaring Council, Inc., was substantially damaged during a hard landing at Como, Colorado. The commercial pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that was being conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed.

The following is based on the pilot/operator report. A winch tow was made from runway 06 at the Silver Heels Gliderport. At an altitude about 50 feet, a slack developed in the tow line, causing the glider to be released automatically. The pilot pitched the nose down. A high sink rate developed and when he flared, the glider landed hard, collapsing the landing gear. The glider came to a halt on the runway. THE PILOT ALLOWING THE GLIDER TO DEVELOP AN EXCESSIVE DESCENT RATE. A FACTOR WAS THE PREMATURE AND AUTOMATIC DISENGAGEMENT OF THE WINCH-TOW SYSTEM.