# NTSB LAX88LA083: Burkhart Grob G109B, N109MD, Tehachapi, CA, January 9, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 9, 1988, 13:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Tehachapi, CA
- Coordinates: 35.120555, -118.509651 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1206&lon=-118.5097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25933
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25933/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA083

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, descent
  - object - tree(s)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - powerplant - not engaged (cause)
  - shoulder harness - not used, pilot in command
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - snow covered

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER USED THE MOTORGLIDER'S POWERPLANT TO TAKEOFF AND CLIMB TO A MOUNTAIN RIDGE TO SOAR. UPON REACHING THE RIDGE TOP THE PILOT SHUT OFF THE POWERPLANT AND ENTERED SOARING FLIGHT. THE PASSENGER STATED THAT THE MOTORGLIDER DESCENDED INTO TREES AND THEN IMPACTED THE SNOW COVERED TERRAIN. HE SAID THAT THE PILOT DID NOT ATTEMPT TO RESTART THE POWERPLANT BEFORE COLLIDING WITH THE TREES. TOXICOLOGICAL TESTS ON THE PILOTS BLOOD AND URINE WERE CONDUCTED. THEY REVEALED 0.9 MCG/ML OF BROMPHENIRAMINE IN HIS URINE AND LOW CONCENTRATIONS OF PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE AND 6.0 MG/ML OF MARIJUANA METABOLITES IN HIS BLOOD. IN ADDITION, 62.0 MG/ML OF MARIJUANA METABOLITES WERE DETECTED IN HIS URINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N109MD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N109MD-1989-09-13), registration cancelled 1989-09-13, S/N 6353 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BURKHART GROB G109B
- Registry model: [Burkhart Grob G-109B](https://openairdocs.org/model/burkhart-grob-g-109b) (registry code 1660205) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 6353
- Airframe hours: 338
- Engines: GROB 2500E1 95 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Devereaux, Mark
- Registered owner: Devereaux, Mark
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 4, 1987, 50 hours before
- Departed: TSP, TEHACHAPI, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 22,153 total, 460 in this make and model, 9,806 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 85 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EDW, 30 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 19880109001099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880109001099A), Jan 9, 1988: Grob G109B, Tehachapi, CA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Lost lift soaring near a ridge. Pilot did not restart motoglider and crashed into trees. Drugs reported in blood.

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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