# NTSB LAX85LA209: Burkhart Grob G103 Twin Astir, N20HS, Hemet, CA, April 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1985, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Hemet, CA
- Location: 33.7340° N, 117.0223° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at HEMET-RYAN (HMT), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7340&lon=-117.0223&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24698
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA209
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24698/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA209

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO LAND THE GLIDER NEAR THE RWY THRESHOLD IN ORDER TO BE READY FOR AN IMMEDIATE RELAUNCH. HE REPORTED THAT HE WAS AWARE OF VEGETATION, LOCATED ALONG THE EDGE OF THE RWY, BUT SAID THAT HE MISJUDGED ITS HEIGHT. THE RIGHT WING CONTACTED THE VEGETATION DURING THE LANDING FLARE CAUSING THE GLIDER TO VEER TO THE RIGHT WHILE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE GLIDER CAME TO REST ABOUT 10 FT BEYOND THE THRESHOLD AT A 60 DEG ANGLE TO THE RWY CENTERLINE & WITH THE TAIL CONE SEPARATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20HS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N20HS), registered now, S/N 3860-K-106, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BURKHART GROB G103 TWIN ASTIR (G103 TWIN)
- Registry model: [Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G103 TWIN ASTIR](https://openairdocs.org/model/burkhart-grob-flugzeugbau-g103-twin-astir) (registry code 1660202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 3860-K-106
- Airframe hours: 337
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sailplane Enterprises
- Registered owner: Wayne Hoshizaki
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 13, 1984, 67 hours before
- Airport: HMT, Hemet-Ryan, runway 22, 2,045 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 896 total, 2 in this make and model, 836 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °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 19850417013219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850417013219A), Apr 17, 1985: Grob G103TWNASTIR, Hemet, CA, Substantial damage. Final approach was too low. Right wing contacted high grass and spun glider around.

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.
