# NTSB LAX92LA352: Burkhart Grob G103 Flugzeugbau, N3872H, Truckee, CA, August 17, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 17, 1992, 11:40 local (18:40 UTC)
- Place: Truckee, CA
- Location: 39.3201° N, 120.1396° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at TRUCKEE-TAHOE (TRK), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3201&lon=-120.1396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27733
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA352
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27733/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA352

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POORLY PLANNED APPROACH. LACK OF SUPERVISION IN THE TYPE OF AIRCRAFT WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE NON-GLIDER RATED CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING HIS FIRST SUPERVISED SOLO.  AFTER BEING RELEASED FROM AN AERO TOW THE PILOT MADE A POORLY PLANNED APPROACH AND MISJUDGED THE GLIDER'S ALTITUDE.  THE GLIDER UNDERSHOT THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH THE DOWNWARD SLOPING TERRAIN THAT PRECEDES THE RUNWAY'S THRESHOLD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3872H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3872H-2022-08-02), registration cancelled 2022-08-02, S/N 3776 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Burkhart Grob G103 FLUGZEUGBAU (G103 FLUGZ)
- 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: 3776
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Soar Truckee Flying Club
- Registered owner: Sebald, Leslie E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 1900
- Airport: TRK, Truckee-Tahoe, runway 19, 4,650 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; student, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 650 total, 2 in this make and model, 490 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported
- Wind: 315° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 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 19920817031569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920817031569A), Aug 17, 1992: Grob G103TWNASTIR, Truckee, CA, Substantial damage. First glider solo. After tow made poorly planned approach. Undershot runway collided with threshold embankment.

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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