# NTSB LAX92LA343: Burkhart Grob 103, N103FB, Truckee, CA, August 10, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 9, 1992, 17:05 local (Aug 10, 1992, 00:05 UTC)
- Place: Truckee, CA
- Location: 39.3280° N, 120.1833° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Truckee, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3280&lon=-120.1833&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27726
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA343
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27726/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA343

## Probable cause

THE INADEQUATE AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE AND FLIGHT MANUALS AND UNAVAILABLE INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE INSPECTION OF THE SPOILER SYSTEM. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE WORN AND JAMMED SPOILER ATTACHMENT LIMITING BLOCK.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - flight control,speed brake attachment - worn (contributing factor)
  - flight control,speed brake attachment - jammed (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - performed, company maintenance personnel
  - acft/equip,inadequate aircraft manuals, manufacturer (cause)
  - information unavailable, manufacturer (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
  - proper descent rate - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE FLT WAS RTRNG FM A VFR GLIDER SENIC FLT. THE PLT EXTDD THE SPOILERS TO LOSE ALT WHILE ON BASE LEG FOR RNY 19. WHEN THE GLIDER REACHED THE DESIRED ALT, THE PLT ATMTD TO RETRACT THE SPOILER CTL HANDLE, BUT IT WAS JAMMED IN THE EXTDD PSN. THE PLT & PSGR MADE SVRL ATMTS TO RETRACT THE SPOILER CTL HANDLE, BUT WITHOUT SUCCESS. DRG THIS TIME, THE PLT FLEW TWD THE APCH END OF THE RWY, BUT WITH THE SPOILERS EXTDD, HE WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE RWY. THE GLIDER COLLIDED WITH A DIRT EMBANKMENT SHORT OF RWY 19. A WRECKAGE EXAM DISCLOSED THAT THE FIBERGLASS SPOILER EXTENSION BLOCK WAS EXCESSIVELY WORN & ALLOWED THE SPOILER TO EXTD BYD ITS NORMAL VALUE. THIS CONDITION ALLOWED THE SPOILER TO JAM ON THE FENCE CAP RECESS ON THE UPPER SURFACE OF THE WING. NEITHER THE FLT NOR MAINT MANUAL ADDRESSED INSPN OF THE SPOILER ATTACHMENT OR EXTENSION LIMITING BLOCK. THE GLIDER RCVD AN ANNUAL INSPN 4 DAYS BFR THE ACDNT. THE INSPN WAS PERFORMED IAW THE MANUFACTURERS DIRECTIVES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N103FB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N103FB), registered now, S/N 33930, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Burkhart Grob 103
- Registry model: [Burkhart Grob G 103 TWIN II](https://openairdocs.org/model/burkhart-grob-g-103-twin-ii) (registry code 1660203) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 33930
- Airframe hours: 2000
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Soar Truckee, Inc.
- Registered owner: Soar Truckee, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 5, 1992, 10 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; airline transport, flight engineer, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 22,000 total, 30 in this make and model, 16,000 as pilot in command, 84 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19920809030879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920809030879A), Aug 9, 1992: Grob G103ATWINII, Truckee, CA, Substantial damage. Unable to reduce full spoilers on approach. Impacted short of runway. Worn spoiler block allowed over center jam.

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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