ATL93LA097

Factual narrative

On May 29, 1993 at 1615 central daylight time, a Blanik L-13 glider, N640RM, collided with the ground while attempting a precautionary landing near Elberta, Alabama. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the two occupants were not injured. The flight departed Elberta at 1500 hours. According to the pilot, he was returning to Elberta, when he encountered cloud buildups and a loss of lifting activity. He elected to land in a field but encountered a downdraft on short final and collided with the ground. No mechanical problems were reported. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, ABOUT FIFTEEN MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT, HE DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE POINT. UPON TURNING EASTWARD, HE ENCOUNTERED A CLOUD LAYER AT 4000 FEET. WHILE MANEUVERING AROUND THE CLOUDS, THE FLIGHT ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT, AT WHICH TIME, THE GLIDER DEVELOPED A 4000 FOOT PER MINUTE RATE OF DESCENT. THE PILOT MANAGED TO ARREST THE SINK RATE BUT THE GLIDER'S LEFT WINGTIP COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AS THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE REPORTED WITH THE GLIDER. THE PILOT DID NOT RECEIVE A WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12