# NTSB CHI93LA230: Burkhart Grob G103, N4101M, Ionia, MI, June 26, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 26, 1993, 14:07 local (19:07 UTC)
- Place: Ionia, MI
- Coordinates: 42.980205, -85.050102 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9802&lon=-85.0501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15747
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA230
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15747/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA230

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER GLIDEPATH.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - grass
  - terrain condition - soft
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE MAKING A SHORT LANDING TO AVOID ANOTHER GLIDER ON THE RUNWAY AHEAD, THE PILOT TOUCHED DOWN JUST SHORT OF THE MOWED GRASS STRIP.  LANDING IN THE TALL GRASS ON THE WET, SOFT GROUND, THE LEFT WING TIP WENT DOWN, AND THE AIRCRAFT GROUND LOOPED TO THE LEFT.  WHILE GROUND LOOPING, THE FUSELAGE WAS DAMAGED JUST FORWARD OF THE VERTICAL FIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4101M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4101M), registered now, S/N 3796, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BURKHART GROB G103
- Registry model: [Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G103 TWIN ASTIR](https://openairdocs.org/model/burkhart-grob-flugzeugbau-g103-twin-astir) (registry code 1660202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 3796
- Airframe hours: 1467
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: B & N Leasing Co., doing business as Benz Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: B & N Leasing Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1993, 30 hours before
- Departed: Y70
- Airport: Y70, Ionia County Airport, runway 27, 3,700 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; medical: unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 452 total, 34 in this make and model, 335 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 21 knots, gusting 26
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRR, 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 19930626020489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930626020489A), Jun 26, 1993: Grob G103ATWIN2, Ionia, MI, Substantial damage. Landed short off runway in tall grass to avoid another glider on runway awaiting a tow.

## Other investigations on N4101M (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 CEN26LA233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA233), Jun 3, 2026: Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G103 Twin Astir (N4101M), Gregory, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor’s improper planning during the simulated aborted launch which resulted in a touchdown on unsuitable terrain.

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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