# NTSB CHI87LA032: Burkhart Grob 109B, N58287, Gregory, MI, November 15, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 15, 1986, 11:55 local (16:55 UTC)
- Place: Gregory, MI
- Coordinates: 42.450859, -84.079269 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4509&lon=-84.0793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13698
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13698/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA032

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - recovery from bounced landing - initiated, pilot in command
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - powerplant controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED TWICE, SO THE PILOT DECIDED TO GO AROUND AND MAKE A SECOND ATTEMPT. ON CLIMB OUT, THE LANDING GEAR STRUCK 65 FT TALL TREES AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT THEN STALLED AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. REPORTEDLY, THE PILOT LANDED WITH A TAIL WIND AND DID NOT CHANGE THE PROPELLER PITCH POSITION FROM A CRUISE TO A CLIMB SETTING. THE RUNWAY HAD A DISPLACED THRESHOLD GIVING IT ONLY 1800 FEET OF USABLE SPACE FOR THE LANDING AND GO-AROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N58287](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N58287), registered now, S/N 6317, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BURKHART GROB 109B
- Registry model: [Burkhart Grob G-109B](https://openairdocs.org/model/burkhart-grob-g-109b) (registry code 1660205) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 6317
- Airframe hours: 400
- Engines: GROB 2500E 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Motor Glidors, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 1, 1986, 70 hours before
- Departed: YIP, YPSILANTI, MI
- Destination: Y70, IONIA, MI
- Airport: 69G, Richmond Field, runway 36, 2,300 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 2,726 total, 10 in this make and model, 165 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JXN, 23 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 19861115074049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861115074049A), Nov 15, 1986: Grob G109B, Gregory, MI, Substantial damage. Powered glider struck trees during go around from bounced landing. Pilot failed to change propeller pitch to climb.

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.

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