# NTSB ATL98LA079: Burkhart Grob G-103, N5448G, Cordele, GA, May 24, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 24, 1998, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Cordele, GA - Coordinates: 31.960046, -83.769599 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9600&lon=-83.7696&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 8, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3996 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA079 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3996/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA079 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper descent rate that led to a hard landing and porpoise, and his improper recovery from the ensuing bounced landing, resulting in the eventual separation of the empennage. A factor was the updraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - updraft (contributing factor) - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - encountered, pilot in command (cause) - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - flare/touchdown - empennage - separation ## Analysis According to the pilot, he was flaring above the runway when the glider experienced an updraft and began a slight climb. In order to counteract the slight climb, the pilot added additional spoiler. The glider then came down hard on the runway and bounced back into the air. The glider continued to oscillate in this manner for three oscillations until the empennage separated from the fuselage. The glider then rolled off the runway and came to a stop. ## Factual narrative On May 24, 1998, at 1630 eastern daylight time, a Grob G-103, N5448G, executed a hard landing at Crisp County Airport, Cordele, Georgia. The personal flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. There was no flight plan for this local flight. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident. The glider was substantially damaged, and the private pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight departed Crisp County Airport at 1545. According to the pilot, he was flaring above the runway when the glider experienced an updraft and began a slight climb. In order to counteract the slight climb, the pilot added additional spoiler. The glider then came down hard on the runway and bounced back into the air. The glider continued to oscillate in this manner for three oscillations until the empennage separated from the fuselage. The glider then rolled off the runway and came to a stop. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5448G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5448G-2014-01-24), registration cancelled 2014-01-24, S/N 3868-K-109 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Burkhart Grob G-103 - Registry model: [Burkhart Grob G 103 TWIN II](https://openairdocs.org/model/burkhart-grob-g-103-twin-ii) (registry code 1660203) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 3868-K-109 - Airframe hours: 1012 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Panos Kanes - Registered owner: Mid-Georgia Soaring Assoc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 23, 1997 - Departed: CKF - Airport: CKF, Crisp County - Cordele, runway 5, 5,007 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 78 total, 14 in this make and model, 72 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 28 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MCN, 50 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 19980524010699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980524010699A), May 24, 1998: Grob G103ATWIN2, Cordele, GA, Substantial damage. Glider made a hard landing and broke the fuselage in front of the tail, Cordele, GA. (.4)according to the pilot, he was flaring above the runway when the… ## Other investigations on N5448G (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 ERA12LA455](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA455), Jul 13, 2012: Burkhart Grob G 103 Twin II (N5448G), Hilltown, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The improper decision of the flight instructor receiving instruction to attempt a course reversal rather than land straight ahead following a simulated low-level rope break, and the inadequate… 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.