# NTSB CHI03LA317: Burkhart Grob G102 Club Astir Iiib, N424BG, Highland, IL, September 10, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 10, 2003, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Highland, IL - Coordinates: 38.779167, -89.637496 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7792&lon=-89.6375&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - St. Louis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 58058 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA317 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58058/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA317 ## Probable cause The pilot encountering unsuitable terrain during an off-airport landing. A factor to the accident was the high vegetation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) ## Analysis The glider ground looped during an off-airport landing after contacting high vegetation. The pilot reported he encountered a strong and prolonged downdraft, which resulted in the glider not maintaining altitude. Because of the loss of altitude, the pilot elected to perform an off-airport landing. During landing, the wingtip of the glider contacted vegetation, which resulted in a ground loop and the glider impacted terrain. ## Factual narrative On September 10, 2003, at 1630 central daylight time, a Burkhart Grob G102 Club Astir IIIB (glider), N424BG, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain during an off-airport landing near Highland-Winet Airport (H07), Highland, Illinois. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The commercial pilot reported no injuries. The flight departed H07 at 1600. According to the pilot's written statement, he released the glider from the tow-plane at 3,000 feet. The pilot stated that he "attempted to work several thermals that were weak and soon dissipated." The pilot reported he was unable to gain or maintain attitude and decided to return to H07. The pilot stated he encountered a "strong and prolonged downdraft that caused rapid loss of altitude." The pilot reported he was unable to reach H07 and elected to perform an off-airport landing. During landing, the wingtip of the glider contacted vegetation, which resulted in the glider ground looping and impacting terrain. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N424BG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N424BG), registered now, S/N 5548CB (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Burkhart Grob 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: 5548CB - Airframe hours: 3063.7 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: St. Louis Soaring Association Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 14, 2003, 80.4 hours before - Departed: H07, Highland, IL - Airport: H07, Highland-Winet Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 79; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review May 21, 2003; seat: single; flight hours: 1,583 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 10 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: BLV, 17 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 20030910026609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030910026609A), Sep 10, 2003: Grob G102IIIB, Highland, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot departed on a pleasure flight at approximately 1600 hours. Experienced weak lift conditions and decided to return to the field. Encountered sink… ## Other investigations on N424BG (2) 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 CEN25LA340](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA340), Aug 24, 2025: Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G102 Club Astir Iiib (N424BG), Highland, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff which resulted in a collision with a parked vehicle. - [NTSB CEN22LA370](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA370), Aug 6, 2022: Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G102 Club Astir Iiib (N424BG), Highland, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight. 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.