# NTSB LAX86FA293: Burkhart Grob A103 Twin II, N5448E, Sun City, AZ, July 16, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1986, 14:53 local (21:53 UTC)
- Place: Sun City, AZ
- Location: 33.6155° N, 112.2831° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sun City, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6155&lon=-112.2831&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24928
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FA293
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24928/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA293

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE NEWLY CERTIFICATE SAILPLANED PILOT HAD TAKEN A FRIEND FOR A SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT. ON THE RETURN THE PILOT MADE A NORMAL APPROACH AND LANDING, THEN VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK A LARGE SAGUARO CACTUS. THE CACTUS TOPPLED AND FELL ACROSS THE FRONT COCKPIT OF THE SAILPLANE, CRUSHING THE PILOT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5448E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Burkhart Grob A103 TWIN II (A103 TWIN)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 3871-K-112
- Airframe hours: 794
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Roy Coulliette, doing business as Turf Soaring School
- Registered owner: Raylin Productions, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 8, 1986, 42 hours before
- Airport: Pleasant Valley, runway 23, 4,000 × 150 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 46 total, 10 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Temperature: 100 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHX, 25 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 19860716033879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860716033879A), Jul 16, 1986: Grob G103TWNASTIR, Sun City, AZ, Substantial damage. The glider veered off the runway on landing and hit a cactus. The cactus fell and crushed the pilot. Wind factor.

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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