# NTSB LAX92LA275: Burkhart Grob G103, N173SS, Olancha, CA, July 3, 1992 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 2, 1992, 18:30 local (Jul 3, 1992, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Olancha, CA - Coordinates: 36.259254, -117.950012 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2593&lon=-117.9500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 27671 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA275 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27671/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA275 ## Probable cause 1) THE TOW PILOT'S INTENTIONAL PREMATURE RELEASE OF THE GLIDER, WHICH HAD BECOME AIRBORNE, WHEN THE TOW PLANE FAILED TO ACHIEVE SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED DURING ITS TAKEOFF GROUND ROLL, AND, 2) THE GLIDER HAVING INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE AT THE TIME OF RELEASE TO NEGOTIATE A SUCCESSFUL RETURN TO RUNWAY MANEUVER. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SOFT NATURE OF THE DIRT RUNWAY. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - terrain condition - soft - airspeed(vlof) - not obtained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - glider/tow release - intentional, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - Forced landing, takeoff - initial climb - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - object - tree(s) - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis THE PILOT SAID THAT WHILE EN ROUTE ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT HE BEGAN LOOSING LIFT AND ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AT AN ABANDONED AIRSTRIP. AFTER LANDING, THE PILOT TELEPHONED COMPANY REPRESENTATIVES AND ARRANGED TO HAVE A TOW PLANE FLY DOWN TO GET HIM AIRBORNE AGAIN. THE TOW PLANE ARRIVED AND BOTH PILOTS SURVEYED THE 2,400 FOOT LONG DIRT AIRSTRIP, DECIDING THAT IT WAS ADEQUATE FOR THE TOW OPERATION. DURING THE ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF, THE TOW PLANE PILOT FELT THAT THE ACCELERATION DOWN THE RUNWAY WAS INSUFFICIENT TO TAKEOFF AND HE RELEASED THE GLIDER. UNKNOWN TO THE TOW PLANE PILOT, THE GLIDER WAS ALREADY AIRBORNE OFF THE RUNWAY WHEN HE RELEASED THE TOW CABLE. THE GLIDER HAD INSUFFICIENT REMAINING RUNWAY TO LAND AND THE PILOT WAS FORCED TO ATTEMPT A RETURN TO RUNWAY MANEUVER FROM LOW ALTITUDE. ONE WING TIP COLLIDED WITH A SMALL TREE DURING THE TURN BACK TO THE RUNWAY. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N173SS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N173SS-2013-04-18), registration cancelled 2013-04-18, S/N 3286, built 1980 (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 - Serial number: 3286 - Airframe hours: 1215 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Douglass Soaring Club - Registered owner: Douglass Soaring Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 22, 1992, 53 hours before - Destination: BIH, BISHOP, CA - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: NONE, Abandoned Airstrip, runway 18, 2,400 × 70 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; flight instructor, commercial; seat: front; flight hours: 1,270 total, 403 in this make and model, 1,239 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °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 19920702026839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920702026839A), Jul 2, 1992: Grob G103TWNASTIR, Olancha, CA, Substantial damage. Tow plane unable to accelerate. Released glider. Glider unable abort hit bush. In tight turn trying to remake runway ## Other investigations on N173SS (1) 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. - [NTSB DEN99LA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA028), Dec 27, 1998: Burkhart Grob G103 Twin Astir (N173SS), Canon City, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The glider pilot's failure to follow proper preflight procedures, and his failure to control the aircraft when the latch opened during flight. A factor was his failure to properly latch the canopy,… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.