# NTSB LAX91LA408: Burkhart Grob G103, N4113G, Fremont, CA, September 26, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1991, 12:55 local (19:55 UTC)
- Place: Fremont, CA
- Coordinates: 37.500476, -121.959091 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5005&lon=-121.9591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27370
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA408
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27370/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA408

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR THE PREVAILING WIND CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - high wind
  - weather condition - downdraft
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON FINAL APPROACH TO THE AIRPORT. HE STATED HE MADE A NORMAL PATTERN ENTRY AND TURNED BASE AT THE STANDARD 45 DEGREE POINT.  ON BASE, HE OPENED THE SPOILERS ABOUT 20%.  AS HE TURNED FINAL AND LINED UP WITH THE RUNWAY, HE SAID HE COULD SEE THAT HIS GLIDE SLOPE WOULD TAKE HIM BEYOND THE WHITE LINE, AND WAS EXPECTING TO ADD MORE SPOILERS AS HE GOT CLOSER.  THIS CHANGED ABRUPTLY, AS HE WAS CAUGHT IN A DOWNWASH CAUSED BY BUILDINGS ON THE APPROACH PATH.  CLOSING THE DIVE BRAKES WAS OF LITTLE HELP.  REALIZING HE COULD NOT MAKE THE ALTITUDE BACK, HE TURNED APPROXIMATELY 180 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT AND LANDED IN A SMALL ROUGH FIELD.  DURING THE LANDING, THE RIGHT WING CAUGHT AND THE SAILPLANE GROUNDLOOPED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4113G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4113G), registered now, S/N 3794, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Burkhart Grob G103
- 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: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sky Soaring
- Registered owner: Sky Soaring
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Airport: 4CA7, Sky Soaring, runway 28, 1,900 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 74; private

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910926043119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910926043119A), Sep 26, 1991: Grob G103TWNASTIR, Fremont, CA, Substantial damage. Landed short of runway. Blamed downwash on lee side of building.

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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