# NTSB CEN17LA305: Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G102 Club Astir Iiib, N102BK, Marion, OH, August 5, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 5, 2017, 13:50 local (17:50 UTC) - Place: Marion, OH - Coordinates: 40.62611, -83.109443 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6261&lon=-83.1094&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Glider tow event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/510) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Columbus FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95761 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN17LA305 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95761/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95761 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA305 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to follow the before takeoff checklist, which resulted in an improper takeoff configuration and subsequent uncontrolled descent into terrain during a departure climb. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wing structure: spoilers](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035755): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G102 CLUB ASTIR IIIB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035755/cases.md?model=1660106), [All aircraft, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035755/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G102 CLUB ASTIR IIIB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=1660106), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G102 CLUB ASTIR IIIB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=1660106), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Glider tow event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/510) (defining event); cases with it: [Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G102 CLUB ASTIR IIIB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/510/sequence.md?model=1660106), [All aircraft, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/510/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G102 CLUB ASTIR IIIB, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1660106), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G102 CLUB ASTIR IIIB, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1660106), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the glider stated that he made a mistake during his before takeoff checks and forgot to latch the canopy. During takeoff and climb, he heard air noise in the cabin and attempted to check the canopy handle while still under tow. He stated that, after climbing a "few hundred feet," the canopy came open. While he was trying to close the canopy, he lost sight of the tow airplane, so he released the tow line and made a turn to the right. A witness reported that the glider's left and right wing spoilers were extended during the flight and were visible from the ground. The glider pilot released from the tow airplane around 150 to 200 ft above ground level (agl) and tried to make a 180° turn back to the runway with the spoilers still extended. The glider's wing clipped a tree and crashed in a bean field. The examination of the glider at the accident site revealed that the spoilers were found in the open, or deployed, position. With the spoilers deployed, the glider and tow airplane would be unable to climb normally. The canopy attachment pins and the surrounding composite material were torn from the fuselage at impact. The canopy attachment handle and bayonet pins showed proper operation. The damage to the canopy was consistent with it being in the latched position at impact. The pilot stated that the glider had no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On August 5, 2017, about 1350 eastern daylight time, a Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G-102 Club Astir IIIB glider, N102BK, collided with a tree and terrain after releasing from the tow airplane at the Marion Municipal Airport (MNN), Marion, Ohio. The pilot received serious injuries, and the glider sustained substantial damage. The glider was owned by the Central Ohio Soaring Association, Inc., and operated by the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions existed near the accident site at the time of the flight, and a flight plan had not been filed. The flight was departing MNN on a local flight. The pilot stated that he made a mistake during his before takeoff checks and forgot to latch the canopy. He stated that after climbing a "few hundred feet" the canopy came open. While he was trying to close the canopy, he lost sight of the Cessna 150 tow airplane, so he released the tow line and made a turn to the right. He attempted to land in a bean field, but the glider struck a tree and impacted the field. A witness who observed the glider during the accident flight reported that the glider's left and right-wing spoilers were extended during the flight and were visible from the ground. He stated that the glider and tow airplane were unable to climb normally with the spoilers extended. He reported that the glider released from the tow airplane around 150 to 200 feet above ground level (agl) and tried to make a 180-degree turn back to the runway with the spoilers still extended. The glider's wing clipped a tree and crashed in a bean field. The tow airplane pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, he felt the tow airplane being "jerked around" by the glider. He saw the glider in a high nose-up position, and then the tow line released about 150 feet agl. The tow airplane continued climbing straight ahead and then returned to MNN and landed. The tow pilot inspected the tow line after landing. The towline and tow ring were undamaged and attached to the tow airplane. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector reported that the examination of the glider at the accident site revealed that the spoilers were found in the open or deployed position. Maple leaves were found in the bottom of the spoiler wells. The right wing exhibited impact damage about mid-span. The flight controls were damaged consistent with impact forces. The canopy attachment pins and the surrounding composite material were torn from the fuselage at impact. The canopy attachment handle and bayonet pins showed proper operation. The damage to the canopy was consistent with it being in the latched position at impact. In an interview with a FAA inspector, the pilot stated that he heard air noise in the cabin during takeoff and thought his canopy had become unlatched. He attempted to check the canopy handle during takeoff and climb out while still under tow. In his report to the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilot stated,"We should not have let the need for a rapid departure overlook the need to make sure that the checklists are completed. And most important, fly the airplane." The pilot indicated that the glider had no mechanical malfunctions or failures. At 1353, the surface weather observation at MNN was wind from 280 degrees at 9 knots; visibility 10 miles; sky clear; temperature 24 degrees C; dew point 12 degrees C; and altimeter 30.06 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N102BK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N102BK-2024-01-04), registration cancelled 2024-01-04, S/N 5622CB, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BURKHART GROB FLUGZEUGBAU G102 CLUB ASTIR IIIB - 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: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 5622CB - Year built: 1985 - Airframe hours: 1336.6 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 17, 2017 - Departed: MNN, Marion, OH - Destination: MNN, Marion, OH - Airport: MNN, Marion Municipal, runway 31, 3,498 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; injuries: serious; airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 24,000 total, 20 in this make and model, 19,000 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: MNN ## 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 20170805012789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170805012789A), Aug 5, 2017: Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G102 CLUB ASTIR IIIB, Marion, OH, Substantial damage. At just after 4 pm on Saturday August 5, 2017 a grob glider N102BK departed kmnn (Marion Municipal Airport Ohio) under tow from runway 31. After lift off the… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 24, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95761. 1.1 MB in all. - Investigation Photos (item 1, .PDF, 5 photos, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462402&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Investigation%20Photos-Master.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.