# NTSB ATL97LA052: Burkhart Grob G-103-TWIN II, N54553, Lancaster, SC, March 22, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 22, 1997, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Lancaster, SC - Coordinates: 34.720737, -80.770423 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7207&lon=-80.7704&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3833 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA052 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3833/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA052 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper use of the spoilers, while approaching to land, which allowed the glider to get low on final approach and strike trees. The pilot's lack of recent flying experience and lack of experience in the make and model of glider were related factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - speed brakes - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, approach ## Analysis After a normal flight, the pilot maneuvered the glider for landing at a gliderport. According to him, the pattern entry was normal, but his turn onto final approach was late, which made the glider low and slow to the 4,000 foot long runway. The pilot stated he 'landed' in 50 foot tall trees, 200 feet short of the runway. Witnesses indicated the glider's spoilers were extended, while on final approach. Damage to the glider also indicated that the spoilers were not retracted at the time of collision with the trees. The pilot did not recall the spoiler's position. He had flown three launches on the previous day with an instructor, but he had not flown during the winter, prior to that. Also, he had only about 3 hours of flight time in this make and model of glider. ## Factual narrative On March 22, 1997, about 1420 eastern standard time, a Burkhart Grob G-103-Twin II, N54553, collided with trees during the landing approach to runway 3 at the Bermuda High Gliderport, Lancaster, SC. The glider was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the local, personal flight. There were no injuries to the private pilot nor his passenger, and the glider was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was Lancaster, about 55 minutes prior to the accident. According to the pilot, the takeoff, tow, and flight were normal. The pattern entry was normal, including the altitude and speed. According to the pilot, he turned onto final late which made him low and slow to the 4,000 foot long runway. He stated he "landed" in 50 foot tall trees, 200 feet short of the runway. Witnesses indicated that the spoilers were deployed while the glider was on the final approach. Damage to the glider also indicated that the spoilers were not retracted at the time of collision with trees. The pilot indicated he did not recall the spoilers being deployed. The pilot had flown three launches the previous day with an instructor. He had not flown during the winter, prior to that. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N54553](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54553-2004-03-30), registration cancelled 2004-03-30, S/N 3872-K-113-1 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Burkhart Grob G-103-TWIN II (G-103-TWIN) - Registry model: [Burkhart Grob/Trampus G 103 TWIN II](https://openairdocs.org/model/burkhart-grob-trampus-g-103-twin-ii) (registry code 1660209) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 3872 - Airframe hours: 1501 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mark C. Baur - Registered owner: Bell Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 16, 1996, 74 hours before - Departed: SC79 - Airport: SC79, Bermuda High Gliderport, runway 3, 4,000 × 200 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,600 total, 3 in this make and model, 3,300 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 18 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CLT, 85 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 19970322003409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970322003409A), Mar 22, 1997: Grob G103ATWINII, Lancaster, SC, Destroyed. Aircraft landed short of runway in the trees. (-23) the pilot stated he allowed the aircraft to get low and slow on final approach. He impacted the trees about… 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. --- 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.