# NTSB ATL87LA199: Burkhart Grob G-103A, N930BG, Mt. Airy, NC, July 5, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 5, 1987, 14:56 local (18:56 UTC)
- Place: Mt. Airy, NC
- Coordinates: 36.499164, -80.609718 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4992&lon=-80.6097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7473
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA199
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7473/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA199

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach
  - descent - misjudged, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - wind information - misjudged, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR STATED THIS WAS THE SECOND FLIGHT OF THE DAY WITH THE STUDENT. THEY HAD RELEASED FROM AN AIR TOW AT 1,500 FEET AGL. THE INSTRUCTOR WAS DEMONSTRATING GLIDE SLOPE CONTROL FOR BEST FINAL GLIDE. WHEN THE SAILPLANE WAS ABOUT 1,000 FEET AGL AND ONE MILE NW OF THE AIRPORT HE TURNED TOWARD THE RUNWAY AND NOTED A SINK RATE OF ABOUT 8 KNOTS. HE INCREASED SPEED AND THE SINK RATE WENT TO 10 KNOTS. THESE SINK RATES TRANSLATE TO ABOUT 810 AND 1013 FEET PER MINUTE, RESPECTIVELY. THIS WOULD HAVE PERMITTED THE SAILPLANE TO COVER A MAXIMUM DISTANCE OF 1 1/2 MILES. TWO SETS OF POWERLINESAND A CHAIN LINK FENCE WERE BETWEEN THE SAILPLANE AND THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE FENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N930BG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N930BG), registered now, S/N 34053-K-283 (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)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 34053-K-283
- Airframe hours: 273
- Engines: unknown UNK unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Wilson Brown,, doing business as Southern Soaring
- Registered owner: Henry C. Zenke
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 12, 1987, 64 hours before
- Airport: MWK, Mt. Airy-Surray County, runway 18, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,347 total, 118 in this make and model, 3,239 as pilot in command, 132 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °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 19870705032369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870705032369A), Jul 5, 1987: Grob G103TWNASTIR, Mt Airy, NC, Substantial damage. Collided with a fence while maneuvering to avoid power lines during the final landing approach.

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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