# NTSB LAX90LA130: Burkhart Grob 103, N3837J, Byron, CA, March 31, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 31, 1990, 14:35 local (22:35 UTC)
- Place: Byron, CA
- Coordinates: 37.849666, -121.619903 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8497&lon=-121.6199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26764
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA130
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26764/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA130

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT FOR OBJECTS ALONG THE LANDING RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE GLIDER ENTERED A RIGHT TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR LANDING. AFTER THE RIGHT TURN TO THE FINAL APPROACH THE PILOT ENTERED A 'SLIP' TO ACCELERATE THE DESCENT. WHEN THE GLIDER ENTERED THE FLARE PHASE OF LANDING, THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE ENGINE COWLING OF A TOW AIRCRAFT PARKED TO THE LEFT OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3837J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3837J-2015-05-12), registration cancelled 2015-05-12, S/N 3762, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Burkhart Grob 103
- 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: 3762
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ames Soaring Club, Inc
- Departed: 4Q5
- Airport: 4Q5, Byron, runway 22, 2,800 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; medical: valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 150 total, 11 in this make and model, 108 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900331007411A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900331007411A), Mar 31, 1990: Grob G103TWNASTIR, Byron, CA, Substantial damage. Glider landing runway 22 hit prop and cowl of tow plane parked side of runway with engine running.

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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