# NTSB ATL86LA184: Burkhart Grob G-103A, N302BG, Little River, SC, June 26, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 26, 1986, 16:25 local (20:25 UTC)
- Place: Little River, SC
- Coordinates: 33.870838, -78.629028 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8708&lon=-78.6290&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7139
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA184
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7139/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA184

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - door,exterior crew - open (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - glider launch/tow equipment - disconnected
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE GLIDER WAS VIOLENTLY ROLLED INTO A 90 LEFT BANK BY STRONG CROSSWINDS AT ABOUT 250 FT AGL, WHILE IT WAS BEING TOWED ALOFT. THE PLT'S COCKPIT CANOPY CAME OPEN, AND THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE AND SECURE IT. THE CANOPY CAME OPEN AGAIN BEFORE THE PLT WAS ABLE TO SECURE IT CLOSED. THE PLT STATED THAT HE LOST SIGHT OF THE TOW PLANE WHILE SECURING THE CANOPY AND THAT HE SUBSEQUENTLY RELEASED THE TOW LINE. HE REPORTED THAT AFTER RELEASE THE GLIDER WAS AT ABOUT 80 FT AGL IN A STALLED CONDITION FROM WHICH HE COULD NOT RECOVER. THE GLIDER THEN IMPACTED TREES, TURNED 180 DEGREES AND FELL TO THE GROUND UPRIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N302BG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N302BG-1990-12-20), registration cancelled 1990-12-20, S/N 34019K251 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BURKHART GROB G-103A
- Registry model: [Burkhart Grob G-103A TWIN II ACRO](https://openairdocs.org/model/burkhart-grob-g-103a-twin-ii-acro) (registry code 1660206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 34019-K-251
- Airframe hours: 87
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Carolina Sailplanes,Inc.
- Registered owner: E. M. Wheeler & T. E. Kelly
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Aerobatic
- Airport: 5J8, Cypress Bay, runway 33, 2,900 × 40 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; medical: valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRE, 6 nm away

## 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 19860626028259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860626028259A), Jun 26, 1986: Grob G103TWNASTIR, Little River, SC, Destroyed. Hatch flew open during takeoff tow. Lost sight of tow plane trying to close canopy. Released and stalled into trees.

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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