# NTSB DEN88FA089: Burkhart Grob G103A, N788G, Boulder, CO, April 2, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 2, 1988, 12:35 local (19:35 UTC)
- Place: Boulder, CO
- Location: 40.0244° N, 105.2513° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Boulder, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0244&lon=-105.2513&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17356
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88FA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17356/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88FA089

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - no thermal lift (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N788G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N788G-1991-04-18), registration cancelled 1991-04-18, S/N 33988K221 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Burkhart Grob G103A
- Registry model: [Burkhart Grob G-103A TWIN II ACRO](https://openairdocs.org/model/burkhart-grob-g-103a-twin-ii-acro) (registry code 1660206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 33988-K-221
- Airframe hours: 1987
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Twin Acro Associates
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1988, 41 hours before
- Departed: 1V5, BOULDER, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 663 total, 111 in this make and model, 601 as pilot in command, 79 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 65 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 18,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BJC, 10 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 19880402007389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880402007389A), Apr 2, 1988: Grob G103TWNASTIR, Boulder, CO, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Aircraft in right bank when it clipped top of small tree in mountainous terrain. Crashed in a canyon.

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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