# NTSB LAX06LA292: Burkhart Grob G-103A Twin II Acro, N790G, Minden, NV, September 12, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 12, 2006, 13:20 local (20:20 UTC) - Place: Minden, NV - Coordinates: 39.000278, -119.751113 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0003&lon=-119.7511&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious - Status: Completed, report March 31, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 64573 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX06LA292 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64573/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA292 ## Probable cause The inadequate pre-takeoff checks by the flightcrew that failed to detect that the spoilers were deployed during the takeoff and initial climb. Also causal was the inadequate supervision of the flight by the flight instructor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction - object - utility pole (contributing factor) - flt control syst,speed brake system - deployed inadvertently - aircraft preflight - inadequate, flightcrew (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - maneuver - attempted - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The local area instructional glider flight departed from the runway with the aid of a tow airplane. At 50 feet agl, the tow pilot observed the glider's spoilers were in a deployed configuration. He signaled (wag the rudder) the pilots to check the spoilers. The glider then moved to the left, causing a strain on the tow rope. The tow pilot said that the glider pilot then terminated the tow about 120 feet agl as the glider was turning back to the runway. Prior to crossing the airport perimeter fence, one of the glider's wings struck a telephone pole. The glider cartwheeled, and came to rest upright on airport property. ## Factual narrative On September 12, 2006, about 1320 Pacific daylight time, a Burkhart Grob G-103A Twin II Acro, N790G, collided with objects during the return for landing at Minden-Tahoe Airport (MEV), Minden, Nevada. Soar Minden, Inc., was operating the glider under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a local area instructional flight. The certified flight instructor (CFI) pilot was killed, and the student pilot sustained serious injuries; the glider sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The tow pilot reported that at 50 feet above ground level (agl) he observed the glider's spoilers in the up position (deployed), and signaled (wag the rudder) to the pilot to check his spoilers. The glider then moved to the left, causing a strain on the tow rope. The tow pilot indicated that the glider pilot then terminated the tow about 120 feet agl. According to the operator, the glider had a tandem seating arrangement; the student pilot was seated in the front, and the CFI was seated in the rear seat. After takeoff, the tow pilot signaled the pilots' that the spoilers were deployed. The glider pilot released and terminated the tow and made an immediate turn back toward runway 12. During the maneuver, one of the gliders' wings struck a telephone pole, which caused it to cartwheel before coming to rest short of the runway. The operator further reported that as a result of this accident they changed their tow pilot policy. The new policy recommends that the tow pilots communicate a "spoilers open" configuration first by radio, and then second with a standard signal "ONLY" after the tow plane has managed to gain at least 250 feet agl, and/or turned the glider around so it is facing toward the runway if possible. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N790G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N790G-2017-05-31), registration cancelled 2017-05-31, S/N 33987-K-220, built 1985 (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: 33987-K-220 - Airframe hours: 6677 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Soar Minden, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 1, 2006 - Departed: MEV, Minden, NV - Destination: MEV, Minden, NV - Airport: MEV, Douglas County, runway 12, 7,400 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 79; injuries: fatal; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; last flight review January 1, 2006; seat: rear - Student pilot; injuries: serious; student; seat: front; flight hours: 10 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: TVL, 13 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 20060912018869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060912018869A), Sep 12, 2006: Grob G103ATWINII, Minden, NV, Substantial damage. (-23) CFI glider pilot, giving instruction to a student, saw the tow plane pilot signal what he thought was a distress of the tow plane and directed the… 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.