# NTSB LAX84LA216: Burkhart Grob G102 Astir CS, N128SS, Marana, AZ, March 10, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 10, 1984, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Marana, AZ
- Location: 32.4367° N, 111.2254° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Marana, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4367&lon=-111.2254&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24200
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA216
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24200/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA216

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT INITIALLY LINED UP FOR A STRAIGHT-IN APPROACH TO LAND, BUT ON FINAL APPROACH, HE DECIDED TO MAKE A 360 DEG TURN TO LAND IN FRONT OF SPECTATORS WHO WERE ALONG THE BEGINNING OF THE AIRSTRIP. AS HE WAS COMPLETING THE TURN TO LAND, THE LEFT WING CONTACTED THE GROUND & THE GLIDER CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N128SS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N128SS), registered now, S/N 1211, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Burkhart Grob G102 ASTIR CS (G102 ASTIR)
- Registry model: [Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G102 ASTIR CS](https://openairdocs.org/model/burkhart-grob-flugzeugbau-g102-astir-cs) (registry code 1660104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 1211
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Loring K Green
- Registered owner: Loring K. Green
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: AZ67, MARANA, AZ
- Airport: El Tiro, runway 26, 5,000 ×  ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; medical: class 3, expired; seat: center; flight hours: 440 total, 34 in this make and model, 425 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point -0 °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 19840310006589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840310006589A), Mar 10, 1984: Grob G102ASTIR, Marana, AZ, Substantial damage. Became too low turning final for landing from a nonapproved overhead 360. Dragged a wing and cartwheeled.

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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