# NTSB ERA24LA098: Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G103 Twin Astir, N1202Z, Zephyrhills, FL, January 25, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: January 25, 2024, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Zephyrhills, FL
- Coordinates: 28, -82 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0000&lon=-82.0000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Glider tow event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/510)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 193709
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193709/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193709
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA098

## Probable cause

The glider pilot’s failure to release from the towline after the tow plane experienced a loss of engine power.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G103 TWIN ASTIR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=1660202), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Equipment/furnishings](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022500): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated; cases with it: [Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G103 TWIN ASTIR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022500/cases.md?model=1660202), [All aircraft, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022500/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Glider tow event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/510) (defining event); cases with it: [Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G103 TWIN ASTIR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/510/sequence.md?model=1660202), [All aircraft, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/510/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The tow plane and glider on tow had just lifted from the runway during takeoff when the tow plane experienced a loss of engine power. The tow plane landed straight-ahead on the runway. The glider continued in flight until it reached the limit of the tow rope and was pulled suddenly to the runway. The glider’s nose was crushed and the empennage separated. Examination of both the tow plane and the glider revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies. A postaccident operational check of the airplane’s engine revealed no anomalies, and the tow release mechanism on the glider functioned normally. According to the FAA Glider Flying Handbook, “Upon losing sight of the towplane, the glider pilot must release immediately.” Further, “…if the towplane loses power after the glider is airborne, the glider pilot should pull the towline release, [and] land ahead…”

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1202Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1202Z), registered now, S/N 3615, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BURKHART GROB FLUGZEUGBAU G103 TWIN ASTIR
- 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: 3615
- Year built: 1982
- Airframe hours: 7317
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Glider tow, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 17, 2023
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: ZPH, Zephyrhills Muni, runway 01/19, 6,201 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 10,390 total, 3.3 in this make and model, 7,000 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,400 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observed at: KLAL, 3 nm away
- METAR: KLAL 251850Z 15008KT 10SM BKN034 28/19 A3015

## 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 20240125004159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240125004159A), Jan 25, 2024: Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G103 TWIN ASTIR, Zephyrhills, FL, Substantial damage. A glider in tow departing runway 23 did not disconnect from the tow plane, after the tow plane experienced momentary loss of power durning takeoff. The tow…

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 31, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193709. 15.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 10.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17622489&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N1202Z%20Accident%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- FAA inspector's statement (aircraft examinations) (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17622725&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Tow%20Plane%20Exam%20FAA%201_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Operations - FAA glider flying handbook excerpts (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 75 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17652182&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20FAA-H-8083-13A%20Glider%20Flying%20Handbook%20Excerpts-Rel.pdf
- Photo array (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17786740&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=LA098%20Docket%20Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf
- Bystander video (item 5, MOV, 4.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17622158&FileExtension=MOV&FileName=381A6716-9966-447C-8FDF-9B73B51C374E-Rel.MOV

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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