# NTSB FTW04LA190: Burkhart Grob G-103A Twin II Acro, N858BG, Caddo Mills, TX, July 17, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 17, 2004, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Caddo Mills, TX - Coordinates: 33.036109, -96.243057 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0361&lon=-96.2431&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 59676 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04LA190 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59676/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - Gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,main gear spring - fatigue (cause) - landing gear,main gear spring - failure (cause) - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), landing - roll - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause) ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N858BG-2005-09-23), registration cancelled 2005-09-23, S/N 34016-K-248 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Burkhart Grob G-103A Twin II Acro - Registry model: [Burkhart Grob G-103A TWIN II ACRO](https://openairdocs.org/model/burkhart-grob-g-103a-twin-ii-acro) (registry code 1660206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 46; injuries: none; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20040717018959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040717018959A), Jul 17, 2004: Grob G103ATWINII, Caddo Mills, TX, Substantial damage. (-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… ## Other investigations on N858BG (1) 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 NYC95LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA040), Dec 4, 1994: Burkhart Grob 103A (N858BG), Blairstown, NJ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain the proper descent rate. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.