# NTSB CHI94LA165: Burkhart Grob BG 103, N140BG, Ionia, MI, May 20, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1994, 12:57 local (16:57 UTC)
- Place: Ionia, MI
- Coordinates: 42.919593, -85.200653 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9196&lon=-85.2007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9534
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9534/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA165

## Probable cause

a hard landing as a result of the early disconnect of the glider launch/tow equipment.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, takeoff - aborted
  - glider launch/tow equipment - disconnected (cause)

## Analysis

THE SIGHTSEEING GLIDER FLIGHT WAS BEING TOW LAUNCHED BY A PIPER CUB.  AT AN ESTIMATED ALTITUDE OF 100 FEET AGL, THE TOW PLANE HAD A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.  THE PILOT OF THE TOW PLANE DISCONNECTED THE GLIDER AND MADE A SUCCESSFUL FORCED LANDING IN A WHEAT FIELD.  THE GLIDER PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN THE SAME FIELD.  THE GLIDER TOUCHED DOWN IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE, BOUNCED BACK INTO THE AIR.  WHEN IT TOUCHED DOWN THE SECOND TIME THE TAIL HIT BEFORE THE LANDING GEAR.

## Factual narrative

On May 20, 1994, about 1257 eastern daylight time, a Burkhart Grob BG 103, N140BG, sustained substantial damage in an off-airport landing near Ionia, Michigan.  During the takeoff sequence, the tow airplane lost engine power, and the tow plane pilot disconnected the glider.  Both the airplane and the glider landed in a field near the airport.  The tow airplane was not damaged.  The sightseeing glider flight originated at the Ionia County Airport.  Neither the commercial pilot nor the passenger were injured.

The pilot of the glider stated he landed in a nose-down attitude, the glider bounced back into the air approximately 10-15 feet, and touched down a second time striking the tail before the landing gear touched the ground.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N140BG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N140BG), registered now, S/N 33902-K-140 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BURKHART GROB BG 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
- Airframe hours: 1875
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Benz Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 6, 1994, 8 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial, flight instructor, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 650 total, 327 in this make and model, 422 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAN, 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 19940520011839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940520011839A), May 20, 1994: Grob G103ATWIN2, Ionia, MI, Substantial damage. Tow plane lost power during tow. Released glider. Glider made off airport landing.

## 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 CHI92LA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA143), May 10, 1992: Burkhart Grob G-103 (N140BG), Ionia, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT AND DECISION TO CLOSE THE GLIDER'S CANOPY AT LOW ALTITUDE.

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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