# NTSB ATL87DLT03: Burkhart Grob G102-111B, N3950L, Memphis, TN, July 11, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 11, 1987, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Memphis, TN
- Coordinates: 35.029521, -89.790306 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0295&lon=-89.7903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7251
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87DLT03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7251/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87DLT03

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - unlocked
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

GLIDER TOW ROPE RELEASED AT ABOUT 200FT FOLLOWING T/O. GLIDER MADE RT TURN FOLLOWED BY STALL/SPIRAL WHICH CONTINUED UNTIL GROUND IMPACT. TOW PILOT SAW GLIDER PILOT'S HAT FALLING TO GROUND JUST AFTER TOW ROPE WAS RELEASED BY GLIDER PILOT. GLIDER CANOPY WAS FOUND UNLATCHED DURING EXAMINATION OF THE GLIDER WRECKAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3950L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3950L-2012-09-06), registration cancelled 2012-09-06, S/N 5598CB, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Burkhart Grob G102-111B
- Registry model: [Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G102 CLUB ASTIR IIIB](https://openairdocs.org/model/burkhart-grob-flugzeugbau-g102-club-astir-iiib) (registry code 1660106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 5598CB
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Memphis Soaring Society, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, April 25, 1987, 0 hours before
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 530 total, 220 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MEM, 10 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 19870711034089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870711034089A), Jul 11, 1987: Grob G102ASTIR, Memphis, TN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The glider spun into the ground after early release from tow plane. Canopy had opened and pilot attempted return.

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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