# NTSB LAX97LA227: Burkhart Grob G-103-TWIN II, N18AG, Jacumba, CA, June 30, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 29, 1997, 17:10 local (Jun 30, 1997, 00:10 UTC) - Place: Jacumba, CA - Coordinates: 32.63034, -116.180213 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6303&lon=-116.1802&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 June 9, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29823 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA227 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29823/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA227 ## Probable cause The pilot's abrupt rotation, which resulted in the breaking of the tow rope. A factor was the low altitude when the tow rope broke, precluding a landing on the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Abrupt maneuver, takeoff - glider launch/tow equipment - failure (cause) - rotation - abrupt, pilot in command (cause) - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - rough/uneven - altitude - inadequate (contributing factor) - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - landing gear - sheared ## Analysis The glider was being launched by a vehicle ground tow. About 250 feet agl, the tow row broke at the 'weak link.' The pilot reported that he might have been too aggressive during the rotation. He stated that he felt he was too far down the runway to land straight ahead, so he turned left intending to fly an abbreviated pattern. He stated that he lost altitude more rapidly than he had anticipated and could not complete the turn back to the runway. During the turn the glider descended and the left wing tip dragged through the vegetation. According to the pilot, the glider landed hard while skidding left and the main landing gear was sheared off. ## Factual narrative On June 29, 1997, at 1710 hours Pacific daylight time, a Burkhart Grob G-103-Twin II glider, N18AG, collided with terrain after aborting the takeoff climb when the tow rope broke at the Jacumba, California, airport. The glider was substantially damaged and the certificated commercial pilot received minor injuries. The passenger was not injured. The pilot was operating the glider as a personal flight when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The pilot reported that the glider was being launched by a vehicle ground tow. He stated that about 250 feet agl, the tow row broke at the "weak link." He reported that he might have been too aggressive during the rotation. The pilot reported that he felt he was too far down the runway to land straight ahead, so he turned left, intending to fly an abbreviated pattern. He lost altitude more rapidly than he had anticipated and could not complete the turn back to the runway. During the turn the glider descended and the left wing tip dragged through vegetation. According to the pilot, the glider landed hard while skidding left and the main landing gear was sheared off. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N18AG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N18AG), registered now, S/N 3714, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Burkhart Grob G-103-TWIN II (G-103-TWIN) - Registry model: [Burkhart Grob G 103 TWIN II](https://openairdocs.org/model/burkhart-grob-g-103-twin-ii) (registry code 1660203) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 3714 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Associated Glider Club Of Sc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: L78 - Airport: L78, Jacumba, runway 25, 2,510 × 100 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; commercial; medical: unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 668 total, 3 in this make and model, 41 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: IPL, 35 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 19970629016179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970629016179A), Jun 29, 1997: Grob G103ATWINII, Jacumba, CA, Substantial damage. Glider did not have enough altitude to return to airport. Landed in brush 200 ft n of runway. (.4) the glider was being launched by a vehicle ground tow. About… 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.