# Accident 20170308002989A: Burkhart Grob G-109B, Mokuleia, HI, March 8, 2017

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 8, 2017, 13:30 local time
- Place: Mokuleia, HI
- Airport: Dillingham Airfield
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 21.5794° N, 158.2025° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.5794&lon=-158.2025&mi=10
- Aircraft: N109FH, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N109FH) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Burkhart Grob G-109B (registry code 1660205, https://openairdocs.org/model/burkhart-grob-g-109b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG (registry code 99999, https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BURKHART GROB G-109B
- Reported engine: AMA/EXPR UNKNOWN ENG
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 1,140 total, 394 in this make and model, 29 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA17CA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA179) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170308002989A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

THE PILOT DEPARTED HDH TO CONDUCT RIDGE SOARING NEAR THE AIRFIELD.  AFTER CLIMBING TO ALTITUDE THE PILOT SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND FLEW SEVERAL PASSES ALONG THE RIDGE.  ON ONE TURN HE FELT UNUSUAL FORCES IN THE RUDDER PEDALS.  HE LOOKED BACK AND COULD SEE DAYLIGHT BETWEEN THE VERTICAL FIN AND THE TOP OF THE RUDDER. HE COMPLETED THE TURN AND LINED UP FOR A STRAIT IN APPROACH TO RUNWAY 8 AT HDH. AFTER LANDING THE AIRCRAFT VEARED TO THE LEFT INTO THE GRASS AND CLEARED THE RUNWAY.  THE RUDDER CAME COMPLETLY OFF OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT. AFTER STOPPING THE PILOT WALKED BACK ABOUT 200 FEET AND RECOVERED THE RUDDER.

THE AIRCRAFT'S PREVIOUS FLIGHT WAS ON 2/12/2017 WITH NO ISSUES NOTED BY THE PILOT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB GAA17CA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA179), Mar 8, 2017: Burkhart Grob G 109B (N109FH), Mokuleia, HI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the upper rudder hinge during flight due to severe corrosion. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection and the lack of an annual inspection.

## Other reports on N109FH (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19940602029309I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940602029309I), Jun 2, 1994: Grob G109B (N109FH), Fort Collins, CO, Minor damage. Lost power and lift. Landed powered glider in a field. Prop feathered. Nose over. Out of fuel. Fuel gauge error.
- [Incident 19860107003329I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860107003329I), Jan 7, 1986: Grob G109 (N109FH), Fort Collins, CO, Minor damage. Landed short of runway and struck a snowbank.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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