# NTSB LAX86LA105: Burkhart Grob 103, N102BK, Fremont, CA, February 1, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 1, 1986, 10:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Fremont, CA
- Coordinates: 37.500232, -121.960502 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5002&lon=-121.9605&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25064
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA105
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25064/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA105

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - condition(s)/step(s) insufficiently defined, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor)
  - condition(s)/step(s) insufficiently defined, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ON FEBRUARY 1, 1986 AT ABOUT 1045 PST A GROB 103 GLIDER, N103BK, GROUND LOOPED IN MUD FOLLOWING AN ABORTED TAKEOFF AT SKY SAILING AIRPORT, FREEMONT CALIFORNIA. THE PILOT ELECTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF BECAUSE IT APPEARED THE TOW AIRCRAFT WAS NOT CLIMBING NORMALLY. THE TOW OPERATION WAS CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH STANDARD PROCEDURES WHICH DO NOT REQUIRE THE GLIDER PILOT TO COORDINATE WITH THE TOW AIRCRAFT PILOT PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT. AFTER THE GLIDER RELEASED, IT DROPPED 18 INCHES TO THE GROUND, VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND COLLIDED WITH A DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N102BK (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Burkhart Grob 103
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 33953-K-186
- Airframe hours: 430
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Antonio M. Sabino, doing business as Fremont Sky Sailing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Airport: 8Q7, Sky Sailing, runway 28, 1,840 × 30 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 20 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19860201024559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860201024559A), Feb 1, 1986: Grob G102ASTIR, Fremont, CA, Substantial damage. Disconnected tow rope on takeoff, turned to right. Skidded into a ditch. Thought something wrong with tow aircraft.

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.