# NTSB NYC83LA229: Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G103, N906BG, Julian, PA, August 29, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 29, 1983, 11:50 local (15:50 UTC)
- Place: Julian, PA
- Coordinates: 40.91043, -77.930931 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9104&lon=-77.9309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35265
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83LA229
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35265/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA229

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT & INSTRUCTOR (CFI) WERE PRACTICING PATTERN WORK & LANDINGS. DURING THE 1ST 3 PATTERNS, THE WIND WAS CALM, HOWEVER, BY THE TIME THEY WERE ON THEIR 4TH PATTERN, THE WIND INCREASED & BECAME GUSTY. WHILE THE STUDENT WAS FLYING THE PATTERN, HE ALLOWED THE GLIDER TO GET LOW ON BASE LEG. THE CFI BELIEVED THERE WOULD BE NO PROBLEM, BUT ON FINAL, THE AIRSPEED DECREASED & THE CFI TOOK CONTROL. HE LOWERED THE NOSE TO GAIN AIRSPEED, BUT THEY ENCOUNTERED UNEXPECTED, SEVERE SINK & WIND GRADIENTS. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE GLIDER CONTACTED THE TOP OF CORN GROWING NEAR THE END OF THE RWY. THE RIGHT WING ENCOUNTERED MORE OF THE CORN THAN THE LEFT WING & THE GLIDER SWERVED RIGHT & IMPACTED THE GROUND SIDEWAYS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N906BG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N906BG), registered now, S/N 3604, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BURKHART GROB FLUGZEUGBAU G103 (FLUGZEUGBA)
- Registry model: [Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G103 TWIN ASTIR](https://openairdocs.org/model/burkhart-grob-flugzeugbau-g103-twin-astir) (registry code 1660202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 3604
- Airframe hours: 9810
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: James F. Pletcher
- Registered owner: Dois F. Grove
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, April 9, 1983, 98 hours before
- Departed: JULIAN, PA
- Airport: Ridge Soaring, runway 24, 3,500 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,094 total, 500 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 205 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19830829069299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830829069299A), Aug 29, 1983: Grob G103TWNASTIR, Julian, PA, Substantial damage. Glider hit crops on final causing ground loop and substantial damage to aircraft.

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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