# NTSB NYC83LA076: Burkhart Grob G10Z Astir CS, N142SS, Buena Vista, PA, March 12, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 12, 1983, 13:12 local (18:12 UTC)
- Place: Buena Vista, PA
- Location: 40.2775° N, 79.8003° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Buena Vista, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2775&lon=-79.8003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35160
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83LA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35160/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA076

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THINKING THAT HE MIGHT BE LOST IN A WAVE ABOVE THE CLOUDS, THE PLT DESCENDED THROUGH AN OPENING & DECIDED TO MAKE AN OFF-FIELD LANDING. SEVERE WIND GUSTS ALTERED HIS GLIDE PATH & HE HEADED TOWARD AN APPLE ORCHARD. THE LEFT WING CONTACTED A BRANCH ABOUT 10 FT ABOVE THE GROUND & THE GLIDER GROUND LOOPED BREAKING THE TAIL CONE & DAMAGING THE STABILIZER & VERTICAL FIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N142SS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N142SS), registered now, S/N 1368, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Burkhart Grob G10Z ASTIR CS (G10Z ASTIR)
- Registry model: [Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G102 ASTIR CS](https://openairdocs.org/model/burkhart-grob-flugzeugbau-g102-astir-cs) (registry code 1660104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 1368
- Airframe hours: 360
- Engines: NONE unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Prabhat Seth
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: UNIONVILLE, PA
- Destination: ALTOONA, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; flight hours: 232 total, 5 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 25 knots, gusting 40
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °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 19830312007499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830312007499A), Mar 12, 1983: Grob G102ASTIR, Buena Vista, PA, Substantial damage. Encountered a mountain wave en route. Elected to make off airport landing. Hit a tree while landing in gusty wind.

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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