NTSB Factual Report

On August 6, 2005, at 1532 central daylight time, a Let Blanik L-13, N9295Z, operated by Omaha Soaring Club, received substantial damage during a hard landing on runway 13 (3,450 feet by 50 feet, asphalt) at Blair Municipal Airport, Blair, Nebraska. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight was not operating on a flight plan. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and commercial rated pilot were uninjured. The local flight originated at 1513.

The CFI stated that the he agreed to take a visiting pilot on a flight. The CFI stated that he was seated in the rear seat of the airplane and was commercial pilot was seated in the front seat at the time of the accident landing. The CFI stated that while on final approach, they discussed and used dive brakes and slips. Approaching the threshold the CFI reportedly cautioned the commercial pilot to "keep the speed up." Over the runway, "the sink rate quickly increased dramatically to a rate too high for a normal touchdown." He stated that the commercial pilot applied full back stick, and the nose came up arresting the sink rate "significantly." The tail wheel initially contacted the runway which was then followed by the main wheels. The CFI stated that he noted that the dive brakes were partially extended and didn't know if they had been closed and then reopened during rollout or had remained open during landing.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector, both pilots held CFI certificate with glider ratings. The front seat pilot was not current in gliders.

NTSB Probable Cause

The low airspeed by the pilot and the inadequate supervision by the certified flight instructor.