# NTSB LAX94LA293: Burkhart Grob G103, N38366, Tehachapi, CA, July 19, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1994, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Tehachapi, CA
- Coordinates: 35.119194, -118.510292 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1192&lon=-118.5103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 27, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28804
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA293
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28804/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA293

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to secure the canopy before takeoff, and his failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - aborted
  - window,canopy - not secured (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - window,canopy - unlatched
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT PLANNED TO GIVE THE PASSENGER A DEMONSTRATION FLIGHT IN THE GLIDER. THE OPERATOR REPORTED THAT THE REAR PORTION OF THE GLIDER'S CANOPY OPENED UP DURING TAKEOFF. THE PILOT RELEASED THE TOW LINE AND THEN LANDED AHEAD ON THE REMAINING RUNWAY.  AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE GLIDER GROUND LOOPED AND THE EMPENNAGE SEPARATED FROM THE FUSELAGE. THE GLIDER'S CANOPY LATCHING MECHANISM WAS SUBSEQUENTLY EXAMINED BY AN AIRCRAFT MECHANIC. THE LATCHING MECHANISM WAS FOUND IN WORKING ORDER.

## Factual narrative

On July 19, 1994, at 1500 Pacific daylight time, a Grob G103, N38366, was substantially damaged during landing on runway 27R at the Mountain Valley Airport, Tehachapi, California.  The commercial pilot was not injured during the demonstration flight, and the passenger received minor injuries.  The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The flight school's operator reported to the National Transportation Safety Board that the glider was being towed behind a Piper PA-25-235, N7092Z, when the rear portion of the glider's canopy opened up during takeoff.  The glider pilot released the tow line and then landed ahead on the remaining runway.  After touchdown, the glider ground looped and the empennage separated from the fuselage.

The flight school's operator further reported that during the pretakeoff ground check, the rear seated pilot was responsible for closing and locking his portion of the two-piece canopy.

The glider's canopy latching mechanism was subsequently examined by an aircraft mechanic.  The latching mechanism was found in working order.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38366](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38366-2017-05-23), registration cancelled 2017-05-23, S/N 3760, 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: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 3760
- Airframe hours: 3065
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Skylark North
- Registered owner: John P. Chapman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 1994, 62 hours before
- Departed: L94, MOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA
- Destination: L94, CA
- Airport: L94, Mountain Valley, runway 27R, 5,190 × 60 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 636 total, 18 in this make and model, 615 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 30 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 19940719019629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940719019629A), Jul 19, 1994: Grob G103TWNASTIR, Tehachapi, CA, Substantial damage. During glider tow rear of canopy came open. Released tow. Landed on runway and ground looped.

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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