# NTSB CHI93LA353: Burkhart Grob G-103 Twin Astir, N153SS, New Douglas, IL, September 4, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 4, 1993, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: New Douglas, IL - Coordinates: 38.9705, -89.659286 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9705&lon=-89.6593&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 7, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9306 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA353 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9306/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA353 ## Probable cause FAILURE OF THE GLIDER TOW ATTACHMENT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE IMPROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURE BY THE STUDENT, AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S DELAYED REMEDIAL ACTION.. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - glider launch/tow equipment - failure,total (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - emergency procedure - improper, dual student (contributing factor) - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL GLIDER FLIGHT WAS BEING WINCH LAUNCHED. THE INSTRUCTOR REPORTED THERE WAS AN APPARENT CABLE BREAK, WHEN THE GLIDER WAS APPROXIMATELY 20 FEET AGL. THE STUDENT PILOT INITIALLY LOWERED THE NOSE, THEN RETURNED TO A CLIMB ATTITUDE. THE INSTRUCTOR TOOK CONTROL OF THE GLIDER, AND INITIATED A LANDING. THE LANDING WAS HARD AND THE GLIDER SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE DOUBLE RING ON THE GLIDER TOW ATTACHMENT POINT WAS FOUND SEPARATED. ## Factual narrative On September 4, 1993, at 1130 central daylight time, a Grob G-103, N153SS, sustained substantial damage in a hard landing following a cable break during a winch launch at the Silvercreek Gliderport, New Douglas, Illinois. Neither the certified flight instructor, nor the student pilot were injured. No flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The instructor reported the student was at the controls for the launch. He stated there was an apparent "cable break" about 20 feet AGL. Initially, the student lowered the nose, then tried to re-establish the climb angle. The instructor stated he took the controls at this point and moved the stick forward. He reported the glider struck the ground with the nose down. The instructor stated the double ring on the glider attachment point separated from the glider. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N153SS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N153SS-2011-05-17), registration cancelled 2011-05-17, S/N 3094, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Burkhart Grob G-103 TWIN ASTIR (G-103 TWIN) - 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: 3094 - Airframe hours: 208 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Silvercreek Aviation, Ltd. - Registered owner: Rodney Lusk - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 4, 1992, 23 hours before - Departed: NONE - Destination: NONE - Airport: NONE, Silvercreek Gliderport, runway 18, 4,000 × 200 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,679 total, 100 in this make and model, 1,676 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 4 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 64 °F ## 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 19930904051649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930904051649A), Sep 4, 1993: Amtrkb TWINSTAR, New Douglas, IL, Substantial damage. Apparent cable break on aerial tow. Tried recover but hit ground nose down. Double ring on glider attach separated. (.19) on September 4, 1993, at 1130 central… ## Other investigations on N153SS (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 SEA05LA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05LA164), Aug 4, 2005: Burkhart Grob G103 Twin Astir (N153SS), Driggs, ID, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering in the traffic pattern for landing. The pilot's failure to maintain a proper altitude was a factor. 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.