# NTSB LAX96LA330: Burkhart Grob G102, N3950B, Warner Springs, CA, September 9, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 9, 1996, 12:55 local (19:55 UTC) - Place: Warner Springs, CA - Coordinates: 33.27927, -116.600059 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2793&lon=-116.6001&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 20, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29557 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA330 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29557/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA330 ## Probable cause improper planning/decision by the pilot concerning a low altitude release to return to the airport after takeoff. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's inadequate preflight by failing to ensure that the yaw indicator string movement was free, when he closed the canopy; and the heavy sink (downdraft) that was encountered during the approach to land. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - misc eqpt/furnishings - movement restricted (contributing factor) - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis In preparation for an aero tow takeoff, the pilot closed and secured the glider's canopy, and the aero tow proceeded. During the initial climb, the pilot recognized that the glider's yaw indicator string was caught in the canopy and was therefore unusable. The pilot decided to make a precautionary landing. At about 500 feet above ground level, he released the towline and attempted to return to the airport. According to the pilot, during the approach, he encountered heavy sink. The glider collided with trees and terrain short of the runway. ## Factual narrative On September 9, 1996, at 1255 hours Pacific daylight time, a Burkhart Grob G102, N3950B, operated by Sky Sailing, collided with trees and terrain approaching runway 26 at the Sky Sailing (uncontrolled) Airport, Warner Springs, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The glider was substantially damaged, and the commercial pilot received minor injuries. The flight originated from Warner Springs at 1250. According to the glider pilot, during the initial climb he observed that the glider's yaw indicator string was caught in his canopy and was unusable, so he elected to terminate the flight and make a precautionary landing. The pilot released the aero towline and attempted to return to the airport. At the time, the glider was approximately 500 feet above ground level. He stated in his accident report that while approaching the runway he encountered "heavy sink" and did not have sufficient altitude to clear the trees which were located near the runway. The glider's owner reported that it was the pilot's responsibility to close the canopy before takeoff. Also, it was the pilot's responsibility to ensure that the yaw string was free from the canopy before the canopy was secured. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3950B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3950B), registered now, S/N 5607CB, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Burkhart Grob G102 - Registry model: [Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G102 CLUB ASTIR IIIB](https://openairdocs.org/model/burkhart-grob-flugzeugbau-g102-club-astir-iiib) (registry code 1660106) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 5607CB - Airframe hours: 1840 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Sky Sailing - Registered owner: Bret G. Willat - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 26, 1996 - Departed: CL35 - Destination: CL35 - Airport: CL35, Sky Sailing, runway 26, 3,500 × 70 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 260 total, 200 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 5 knots, gusting 10 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °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 19960909026429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960909026429A), Sep 9, 1996: Grob G102ASTIR, Warner Springs, CA, Substantial damage. Yaw string caught in canopy on tow. Released. Turned back. Heavy sink on final. Struck trees. 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.