Burkhart Grob G-103A Twin II Acro N858BG accident, Caddo Mills, TX, Jul 17, 2004 · NTSB FTW04LA190

Probable cause

The other pilot's inability to maintain directional control during landing roll as a result of the failure of the landing gear.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of control - on ground/waterLanding - roll

Gear collapsedLanding - roll

Landing gear,main gear spring - fatigueCause

Landing gear,main gear spring - failureCause

Collision between aircraft (other than midair)Landing - roll

Directional control - not possiblePilot in commandCause

Analysis

The flight instructor that was preparing the glider for flight reported that the glider had been positioned on the right side of the runway 31 (a 4,000-foot long and 150-foot wide concrete runway) waiting for the tow-plane to land and line up in front for the scheduled soaring flight. While standing, the flight instructor heard someone shout, and he looked up and the tow plane that had just landed on the left side of the runway, veering straight for the glider. Subsequently, the tow plane collided with the glider. The pilot of the tow plane reported that during the landing roll, he began a slight turn to the right to position the tow plane in front of the glider and the airplane veered to the left and to the right and collided with the glider. Examination of the tow plane revealed that the left main landing strut fractured due to fatigue, causing the main wheel assembly to separate from the steel landing gear strut.

Factual narrative

On July 17, 2004, at 1430 central daylight time, a Burkhart Grob G-103A Twin II Acro glider, N858BG, was substantially damaged upon collision with another aircraft while waiting to be towed on runway 31 at the Caddo Mills Municipal Airport (7F3), near Caddo Mills, Texas. The glider was owned by a private individual and was being operated by Southwest Soaring, Inc., of Caddo Mills, Texas. The flight instructor and the passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the anticipated 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 soaring flight. The local flight had not initiated at the time of the accident.

According to the flight instructor conducting the glider flight, the glider had been positioned on the right side of the runway 31 (a 4,000-foot long and 150-foot wide concrete runway) waiting for the tow-plane to land and line up in front for the scheduled soaring flight. The flight instructor added that he was standing on the left side of the glider explaining to the passenger strapped to the front seat how the flight was to be conducted. While standing, the flight instructor heard someone shout, and he looked up.

The flight instructor reported that he observed the tow plane that had just landed on the left side of the runway, veering straight for the glider. To avoid being hit, he jumped over the fuselage of the glider, escaping injuries.

The pilot of the Cessna 305 (vintage military L-19), N5255G, reported he landed on the left side of runway 31 due to a glider on the right side of the runway. During the landing roll, at an approximate speed of 20 miles per hour (mph), the airplane was within 200 feet of the glider the pilot "began a slight turn to the right to position the tow plane in front of the glider." The pilot stated that as he "applied left rudder to adjust the turn radius, there was little or no response." Subsequently, the airplane veered to the left and to the right and collided with the glider.

Examination of the Cessna 305 revealed that the left main landing strut fractured due to fatigue, causing the main wheel assembly to separate from the steel landing gear strut. Damage to fuselage and wings of the Cessna was minor.

Examination of the glider revealed structural damage to the left wing and left aileron.

Aircraft

Registration: N858BG
Reported as: Burkhart Grob G-103A Twin II Acro
Category: Glider
Serial number: 34016-K-248
Damage: Substantial damage
Flight: Instructional · Part 91
Operator: Southwest Soaring, Inc.
Registered owner: David M. Bloch
Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
Departed: 7F3 · Caddo Mills, TX
Airport: 7F3 · Caddo Mills Municipal Airpo, runway 31, 4,000 × 150 ft, concrete

N858BGRegistration cancelled Sep 23, 2005 · Burkhart Grob G-103A TWIN II ACROS/N 34016-K-248 Airframe modelBurkhart Grob G-103A TWIN II ACRO Engine modelNONENone

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role: Flight instructor
Age: 46
Injuries: None
Certificates: Private, Commercial
Airplane ratings: Single-engine land
Last flight review: February 10, 2004

Weather

Conditions: Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind: 360° at 6 knots
Visibility: 10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling: None
Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 64 °F
Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
Observed at: TRL, 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.

Accident 20040717018959AGrob G103ATWINII · Caddo Mills, TX(-23) On July 17, 2004 at 1430 central daylight time, a Grob G-103A twin acro ii glider, N858BG, was substantially damaged upon collision with another aircraft while waiting to be towed on runway 31 at the Caddo Mills Municipal Airport (7F3), near Caddo…Jul 17, 2004 · N858BG · Substantial damage

Other investigations on N858BG · 1

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

NTSB NYC95LA040Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBlairstown, NJThe pilot's failure to maintain the proper descent rate.Dec 4, 1994 · Substantial damage