# NTSB FTW94LA170: Burkhart Grob 6103 Twin Astir, N156SS, Forrest City, AR, May 22, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1994, 13:44 local (18:44 UTC)
- Place: Forrest City, AR
- Coordinates: 35.00901, -90.780532 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0090&lon=-90.7805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19063
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19063/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA170

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL WHEN HE DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION TO CLOSING THE CANOPY. A FACTOR WAS HIS FAILURE TO PROPERLY CLOSE THE CANOPY PRIOR TO TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - window,canopy - open
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - pole
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE UNDER AEROTOW AT APPROXIMATELY 600 FEET AGL, THE REAR CANOPY OPENED.  THE PILOT BECAME DISTRACTED AND LOST SIGHT OF THE TOW PLANE.  HE THEN INSTRUCTED HIS FRONT SEAT PASSENGER TO RELEASE FROM THE TOW WHILE HE ATTEMPTED TO SECURE THE CANOPY.  THE GLIDER ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT AND STRUCK AN ELEVATED IRRIGATION PIPE.  NO EVIDENCE OF MALFUNCTION OF THE REAR CANOPY LOCKING MECHANISMS WAS FOUND.

## Factual narrative

On May 22, 1994, at 1344 central daylight time, a Burkhart Grob 6103 Twin Astir glider, N156SS, was substantially damaged during descent near Forrest City, Arkansas.  The glider, being flown by a private glider pilot, had just departed on what was to have been a local personal flight.  There was no flight plan filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The pilot received minor injuries while the passenger was seriously injured.

According to the pilot, he was taking his daughter, who occupied the front seat, for her first glider ride.  He further stated that the rear canopy came open during the tow at 600 feet AGL.  He instructed his daughter to release the tow while he attempted to latch the canopy.  The airplane entered an uncontrolled descent.  Control was not regained and the glider impacted a 15 foot high, 12 inch diameter, rotary irrigation pipe prior to impacting the ground.  The investigation revealed that the rear canopy locking devices were intact on both the canopy and the fuselage and capable of latching.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N156SS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N156SS-1996-03-12), registration cancelled 1996-03-12, S/N 3140 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BURKHART GROB 6103 TWIN ASTIR (6103 TWIN)
- Registry model: [Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G103 TWIN ASTIR](https://openairdocs.org/model/burkhart-grob-flugzeugbau-g103-twin-astir) (registry code 1660202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 3140
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Memphis Soaring Society
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1994

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; medical: unknown; seat: rear; flight hours: 110 total, 4 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19940522011869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940522011869A), May 22, 1994: Grob G103TWNASTIR, Forrest City, AR, Substantial damage. Rear canopy opened on tow. Told front seat passenger release tow. Tried close canopy. Distracted descent. Hit pipe.

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.