# NTSB LAX93LA039: Glaser-Dirks DG400, N360GG, Calistoga, CA, November 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 14, 1992, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Calistoga, CA
- Coordinates: 38.619037, -122.609535 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6190&lon=-122.6095&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27864
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27864/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA039

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE BRAKES DUE TO A SEPARATION OF THE BRAKE CABLE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.  A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE TAILWIND CONDITION DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,normal brake system - failure,total (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - building(nonresidential)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID, AND GROUND WITNESSES CONFIRMED, THAT HE LANDED IN A 15 KNOT TAILWIND ON THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY. WHEN THE PILOT APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP THE GLIDER, NO RESISTANCE WAS FELT ON THE BRAKE CONTROL HANDLE AND THE GLIDER WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. THE PILOT SAID THAT WHEN HE KNEW HE COULD NOT STOP PRIOR TO OVER RUNNING THE END OF THE RUNWAY HE STEERED THE AIRCRAFT TOWARD A WOODEN WALL OF A COMMERCIAL BUILDING INSTEAD OF LETTING THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUE TOWARD A CHAIN LINK FENCE. AN FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE EXPERIMENTAL GLIDER AND FOUND THAT A 1.6MM STEEL CABLE WHICH RUNS BETWEEN THE COCKPIT BRAKE HANDLE AND THE MAIN WHEEL BRAKE ACTUATOR HAD SEPARATED. THE INSPECTOR REPORTED THAT THE REASON FOR THE CABLE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N360GG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N360GG-2025-10-18), registration cancelled 2025-10-18, S/N 4-276 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Glaser-Dirks DG400
- Registry model: [Glaser-Dirks DG-400](https://openairdocs.org/model/glaser-dirks-dg-400) (registry code 3802510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 4-276
- Airframe hours: 162
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gary B. Gammal
- Registered owner: Gary B. Gammal
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 8, 1992, 52 hours before
- Departed: O58
- Destination: O58
- Airport: O58, Calistoga Glider Port, runway 29, 2,600 × 20 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; seat: center; flight hours: 279 total, 162 in this make and model, 208 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °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 19921114046499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921114046499A), Nov 14, 1992: Glaser DG400, Calistoga, CA, Substantial damage. Unable to stop on landing due to downwind and brake cable failure. Ran off end into a 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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