# NTSB LAX87LA006: Burkhart Grob G103 Twin II, N914G, Calistoga, CA, October 4, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 4, 1986, 13:50 local (20:50 UTC)
- Place: Calistoga, CA
- Coordinates: 38.61935, -122.610527 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6193&lon=-122.6105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25446
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25446/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA006

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
  - wind information - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AT THE END OF A LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT NEAR CLISTOGA, CLAIFORNIA, THE PILOT STATED THE NOSE OF HIS GLIDER WAS PUSHED DOWN WHILE ON BASE LEG AT CALISTAGA AIRPARK. DUE TO A LOSS IN ALTITUDE TO INCREASE AIRSPEED, THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE RUNWAY. A FORCED LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED IN A NEARBY PLOWED FIELD; HOWEVER, A ROW OF TREES WAS IN THE WAY WHICH THE PILOT THOUGHT HE COULD PORPOISE OVER. THE GLIDER COLLIDED WITH A TREE AND STALLED INTO THE FIELD. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD OBTAINED HIS WEATHER INFORMATION FROM OTHER PILOTS WHO WERE FLYING IN THE AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N914G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N914G-2004-05-27), registration cancelled 2004-05-27, S/N 3747, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Burkhart Grob G103 TWIN II (G103 TWIN)
- Registry model: [Burkhart Grob G 103 TWIN II](https://openairdocs.org/model/burkhart-grob-g-103-twin-ii) (registry code 1660203) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 3747
- Airframe hours: 1089
- Engines: unknown UNK unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Flint A. Nelson
- Registered owner: Silverado Soaring Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 4, 1986, 100 hours before
- Departed: 058, CALISTOGA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; seat: front; flight hours: 82 total, 19 in this make and model, 42 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19861004047799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861004047799A), Oct 4, 1986: Grob G103TWNASTIR, Calistoga, CA, Substantial damage. The glider struck trees during an emergency landing short of the runway.

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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