# NTSB ATL86LA164: Burkhart Grob G103, N2135R, Benton, TN, June 8, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 8, 1986, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Benton, TN
- Coordinates: 35.170391, -84.649681 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1704&lon=-84.6497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7125
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7125/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA164

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Undershoot, landing
  - object - aircraft moving on ground
  - planned approach - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spoiler extension - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - improper use of equipment/aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - wire,static
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE GLIDER LANDED SHORT OF THE RWY. THE PLT HAD OBSERVED ANOTHER ACFT ON THE RWY APCH END AND EXTENDED HIS BASE LEG. DURING THE TURN TO FINAL, HE DEPLOYED THE SPOILERS. HE REPORTED THAT THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A HIGH SINK RATE AFTER THE TURN, AND THAT HE SUBSEQUENTLY RETRACTED THE SPOILERS. THE ACFT DESCENDED BELOW THE TREES AND A TURN WAS MADE TO AVOID THEM. ANOTHER HIGH SINK RATE WAS EXPERIENCED AND THE ACFT STRUCK A TELEPHONE WIRE, THEN LANDED TAIL FIRST IN A GRASSY AREA NEAR THE RWY END. THE PLT STATED THAT THERE WERE THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2135R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2135R-1994-07-18), registration cancelled 1994-07-18, S/N 3601 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Burkhart Grob G103
- Registry model: [Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G103 TWIN ASTIR](https://openairdocs.org/model/burkhart-grob-flugzeugbau-g103-twin-astir) (registry code 1660202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 3601
- Airframe hours: 500
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Mike Reisman, doing business as Wendylene, Inc.
- Registered owner: Robert L. Davis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 7, 1985, 30 hours before
- Departed: 92A, BENTON, TN
- Airport: 92A, Chilhowee Glider Port, runway 21, 2,600 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,149 total, 4 in this make and model, 1,971 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft unknown
- Temperature: 75 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19860608023199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860608023199A), Jun 8, 1986: Grob G103TWNASTIR, Benton, TN, Substantial damage. Experienced a high sink rate after turning final. Struck a telephone wire,then the ground. Heavy rains in vicinity.

## Other investigations on N2135R (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 MIA92LA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA153), Jul 25, 1992: Burkhart Grob G103 (N2135R), Knoxville, TN, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY INSTRUCT THE PASSENGER ON AIRCRAFT CONTROLS PRIOR TO TAKEOFF, RESULTING IN THE PASSENGER INADVERTENTLY RELEASING THE TOW CABLE AS THE GLIDER WAS BEING TOWED…

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.

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