# NTSB CEN09CA368: Grob G103, N5462N, Wellington, CO, June 19, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 19, 2009, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Wellington, CO
- Coordinates: 40.701389, -105.003334 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7014&lon=-105.0033&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 74090
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA368
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74090/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74090
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA368

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the glider during takeoff.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Burkhart Grob G 103 TWIN II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1660203), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Burkhart Grob G 103 TWIN II, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=1660203), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Burkhart Grob G 103 TWIN II, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1660203), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that the initial takeoff roll was normal, but that after a premature takeoff due to wind gusts and thermals the glider controls became ineffective. The pilot attempted to pull the tow line release knob and reported that the tow line “back-released,” resulting in the glider entering a stall. During the impact with terrain, the glider's empennage separated partially, just aft of the fuselage. Examination of the tow line release mechanism and glider systems revealed no mechanical anomalies.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that the initial takeoff roll was normal, but that after a premature takeoff due to wind gusts and thermals the glider controls became ineffective. The pilot attempted to pull the tow line release knob and reported that the tow line “back-released,” resulting in the glider entering a stall. During the impact with terrain, the glider's empennage separated partially, just aft of the fuselage. Examination of the tow line release mechanism and glider systems revealed no mechanical anomalies.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5462N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5462N), registered now, S/N 3875 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GROB G103 (TWIN II)
- 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: 3875
- Airframe hours: 3880
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, February 25, 2009, 27 hours before
- Departed: 4CO2, Wellington, CO
- Destination: 4CO2, Wellington, CO
- Airport: 4CO2, Owl Canyon Gliderport, runway 15, 2,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 10, 2009; seat: rear; flight hours: 7,219 total, 127 in this make and model, 7,162 as pilot in command, 98 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observed at: KFNL, 21 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 20090619009519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090619009519A), Jun 19, 2009: Grob 103, Wellington, CO, Substantial damage. On 06/19/2009 [privacy data omitted] was pilot of N5462N a Grob-103 glider that crashed on takeoff and subsequent landing following a winch launch at owl…

## Other investigations on N5462N (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 FTW94LA196](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA196), Jun 5, 1994: Burkhart Grob G 103 Twin II (N5462N), Wellington, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER SPOILER EXTENSION AND FLARE.

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 7, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74090. 24.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 24.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315594&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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.