# NTSB LAX97LA174: Burkhart Grob 103A, N931BG, Peoria, AZ, May 2, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 2, 1997, 14:10 local (21:10 UTC)
- Place: Peoria, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.650905, -112.239562 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6509&lon=-112.2396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29783
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29783/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA174

## Probable cause

failure of the student pilot to maintain proper runway alignment and wing tip clearance from high vegetation beside the runway during landing, and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight.  High vegetation on the runway shoulder was a related factor.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - proper alignment - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

During a landing, the glider collided with high vegetation on the left side of the runway after the student pilot allowed it to touchdown left of the runway centerline. The left wing tip dragged in the vegetation, and the glider ground looped to the left. The instructor stated that he was overconfident in the student's ability and did not anticipate his actions. The runway was 4,000 feet long and 75 feet wide. The wing span of the glider was about 57 feet.

## Factual narrative

On May 2, 1997, at 1410 hours mountain standard time, a Grob 103A glider, N931BG, collided with vegetation after the pilot under training landed left of the runway 23C centerline at the Pleasant Valley Airport, Peoria, Arizona.  The glider was substantially damaged.  The certified flight instructor and certificated commercial pilot student were not injured.  The glider was being operated as an instructional flight by Baboquivari Soaring School, d.b.a. Turf Soaring School, Peoria.  The local flight originated from the Pleasant Valley Airport at 1320.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.

According to the flight instructor, the student pilot landed the glider on the left side of the runway.  The left wing tip dragged in high vegetation and the glider ground looped to the left.  The instructor also stated he was overconfident in the pilot's ability and did not anticipate the pilot's actions.

The runway was 4,000 feet long and 75 feet wide.  The wing span of the glider is about 57 feet (17.5 meters) wide.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N931BG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N931BG), registered now, S/N 34054-K-284 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Burkhart Grob 103A
- Registry model: [Burkhart Grob G-103A TWIN II ACRO](https://openairdocs.org/model/burkhart-grob-g-103a-twin-ii-acro) (registry code 1660206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 34054-K-284
- Airframe hours: 6238
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Baboquivari Soaring School
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 4, 1997, 36 hours before
- Departed: AZ05
- Airport: AZ05, Pleasant Valley, runway 23C, 4,000 × 75 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 907 total, 92 in this make and model, 852 as pilot in command, 162 in the last 90 days, 54 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 28.00 inHg
- Observed at: DVT, 11 nm away

## 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 19970502007809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970502007809A), May 2, 1997: Grob G103ATWIN2, Peoria, AZ, Substantial damage. Landed left side runway. Left wing dragged in bushes. Glider ground looped. CFI acted too late to prevent incident.

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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