# NTSB CHI92LA143: Burkhart Grob G-103, N140BG, Ionia, MI, May 10, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 10, 1992, 14:20 local (18:20 UTC)
- Place: Ionia, MI
- Coordinates: 42.980739, -85.050582 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9807&lon=-85.0506&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 July 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15439
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15439/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA143

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT AND DECISION TO CLOSE THE GLIDER'S CANOPY AT LOW ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb
  - window,canopy - not secured
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE GLIDER WAS IN THE INITIAL CLIMB PHASE FROM TAKEOFF AT AN ESTIMATED ALTITUDE OF 150-200' AGL WHEN THE CANOPY SUDDENLY UNLATCHED AND STRUCK THE RIGHT WING. THE CANOPY WAS STILL ATTACHED, AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE IT. THE PILOT REPORTED HE BECAME DISORIENTED IN RELATION TO THE TOW AIRPLANE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE CANOPY, AND ELECTED TO PULL THE TOW RELEASE. ALTITUDE WAS INSUFFICIENT FOR A RETURN TO THE RUNWAY, AND AN OFF-AIRPORT SITE WAS SELECTED. THE GLIDER WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING THE LANDING IN A ROUGH FIELD. A POSTACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE GLIDER DISCLOSED NO MECHANICAL DEFICIENCIES WITH THE CANOPY LATCHING MECHANISM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N140BG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N140BG), registered now, S/N 33902-K-140 (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)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 33902-K-140
- Airframe hours: 1510
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Benz Aviation
- Registered owner: Benz Aviation
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 3, 1991, 62 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; medical: unknown; seat: rear; flight hours: 410 total, 88 in this make and model, 402 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAN, 20 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 19920510013909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920510013909A), May 10, 1992: Grob G103ATWINII, Ionia, MI, Substantial damage. Canopy came open on glider tow. Accidentally released tow 150 feet AGL while trying to close canopy. Crash landed.

## Other investigations on N140BG (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 CHI01LA207](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA207), Jul 12, 2001: Burkhart Grob G 103 Twin II (N140BG), Ionia, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot not maintaining clearance from the tall grass during his recovery from the bounced landing. A factor was the tall grass.
- [NTSB CHI94LA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA165), May 20, 1994: Burkhart Grob BG 103 (N140BG), Ionia, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: a hard landing as a result of the early disconnect of the glider launch/tow equipment.

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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