# Accident 20260603005999A: Grob 103, Gregory, MI, June 3, 2026

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 3, 2026, 16:00 local time
- Place: Gregory, MI
- Airport: Richmond Field
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 44.4421° N, 84.0644° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4421&lon=-84.0644&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4101M, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4101M) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G103 TWIN ASTIR (registry code 1660202, https://openairdocs.org/model/burkhart-grob-flugzeugbau-g103-twin-astir) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: NONE (registry code 00000, https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GROB 103
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 25,000 total, 200 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN26LA233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA233) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260603005999A

## Narrative

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

THE FLIGHT WAS A GLIDER INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, WHERE A STUDENT WAS RECEIVING INSTRUCTION TO PREPARE FOR A PRACTICAL TEST. THE INSTRUCTOR WANTED TO SIMULATE A ROPE BREAK SHORLTY AFTER LIFTOFF. THE INSTRUCTOR RELEASED THE TOWROPE AT AN ALTITUDE OF 15 TO 20 FEET.

THE RUNWAY IS  2600 FEET LONG AND SOD. RUNWAY 18 IS A DOWNSLOPING RUNWAY.

BEYOND THE DEPARURE END OF THE RUNWAY, THE TERRAIN SLOPES SIGNIFICANTLY DOWNWARD.

THE INSTRUCTOR INITIATED THE RELEASE OF THE TOWROPE WITHOUT ENOUGH RUNWAY LEFT TO FACILITATE A STRAIGHT-AHEAD LANDING.

THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED TOWN BEYOND THE RUNWAY IN DOWNSLOPING TERRAIN AND TALL GRASS. UPON TOUCHDOWN THE AIRCRAFT GROUND LOOPED AND THE RUDDER WAS DAMAGED.

## 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 CEN26LA233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA233), Jun 3, 2026: Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G103 Twin Astir (N4101M), Gregory, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor’s improper planning during the simulated aborted launch which resulted in a touchdown on unsuitable terrain.

## Other reports on N4101M (1)

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

- [Accident 19930626020489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930626020489A), Jun 26, 1993: Grob G103ATWIN2 (N4101M), Ionia, MI, Substantial damage. Landed short off runway in tall grass to avoid another glider on runway awaiting a tow.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.