# NTSB DEN86FA210: Burkhart Grob G-102 Astir CS, N144SS, Black Forest, CO, July 26, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1986, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Black Forest, CO
- Coordinates: 39.050281, -104.689193 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0503&lon=-104.6892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16838
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86FA210
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16838/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA210

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - lightning (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms) (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - normal
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE GLIDER PLT, TOOK OFF AT 1155 AND WAS TOWED TO AN ALT OF 10,200 FT MSL AND RELEASED. THE PLT SAID THAT A RAPIDLY DEVELOPING THUNDERSTORM CUT OFF HIS ROUTE BACK TO THE GLIDER PORT AND HE WAS FORCED TO MAKE AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING AT ABOUT 1300. THE PLT SAID THAT DURING THE TURN TO FINAL APCH, 'A WIND SHIFT PUT ME DOWN.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N144SS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N144SS-2006-10-02), registration cancelled 2006-10-02, S/N 1367, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Burkhart Grob G-102 ASTIR CS (G-102 ASTI)
- Registry model: [Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G102 ASTIR CS](https://openairdocs.org/model/burkhart-grob-flugzeugbau-g102-astir-cs) (registry code 1660104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 1367
- Airframe hours: 453
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Black Forest Soaring Society,
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, March 6, 1986, 1,286 hours before
- Departed: CO26, BLACK FOREST, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; seat: front; flight hours: 289 total, 54 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 65 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: COS, 19 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 19860726035029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860726035029A), Jul 26, 1986: Grob G102ASTIR, Black Forest, CO, Destroyed. The foreign glider pilot made an off field landing due to building thunderstorm activity. High density 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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