# NTSB LAX90LA282: Burkhart Grob G-103, N4426B, Liano, CA, August 10, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1990, 12:21 local (19:21 UTC)
- Place: Liano, CA
- Coordinates: 34.489627, -117.769371 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4896&lon=-117.7694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26888
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA282
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26888/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA282

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INFLIGHT DECISION WAS IMPROPER. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S SELF-INDUCED PRESSURE.

## 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 - other
  - object - tree(s)
  - object - fence
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PIC WAS COMPLETING THE THIRD AND FINAL FLIGHT OF A CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S FLIGHT TEST. BEFORE THE FLT THE FAA INSPECTOR BRIEFED THE APPLICANT THAT THE FLIGHT WOULD ENTAIL A SIMULATED EMERGENCY TOW ROPE BREAK. AT 280 FT AGL THE INSPECTOR DISENGAGED THE TOW ROPE AND THE APPLICANT IMMEDIATELY EXECUTED A LEFT 180 DEG TURN FOLLOWED BY A RIGHT DESCENDING NOSE DOWN TURN. THIS MANEUVER CAUSED THE GLIDER TO LOSE EXCESSIVE ALTITUDE AND THE PIC WAS FORCED TO LAND IN THE OPEN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL-OUT THE GLIDER STRUCK A LARGE BOULDER, SHRUB TREE AND A BARBED WIRE FENCE. THE APPLICANT STATED THAT HE DIDN'T THINK THE GLIDER'S ALTITUDE WAS SUFFICIENT TO CLEAR SOME WIRES AT THE END OF THE AIRPORT BOUNDARY BUT LATER CALCULATED THAT THE GLIDE RATIO WOULD HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENT TO NEGOTIATE THE AIRPORT. HE ALSO STATED THAT HE WAS UNDER EXTREME SELF-INDUCED PRESSURE DUE TO THE FLIGHT TEST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4426B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4426B), registered now, S/N 3791, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Burkhart Grob G-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
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: John & Karen Stevenson
- Airport: Crystal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; medical: unknown; flight hours: 122 total, 118 in this make and model, 89 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: PMD, 17 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 19900810033249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900810033249A), Aug 10, 1990: Grob G103TWNASTIR, Llano, CA, Substantial damage. Inspector gave applicant simulated tow rope break. PIC elected to use field off airport. Landed long,hit fence.

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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