# NTSB NYC85LA151: Burkhart Grob G-103-II Aero, N217BG, Erwinna, PA, June 15, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 15, 1985, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Erwinna, PA
- Coordinates: 40.490539, -75.080665 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4905&lon=-75.0807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35895
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35895/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA151

## Sequence of events

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

- Forced landing, descent
  - planning/decision - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - crop
- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE GLIDER CONTACTED TALL HAY IN A FLD AND GROUND LOOPED DURING AN OFF ARPT FORCED LANDING. THE PLT STATED THE GLIDER WAS RELEASED DOWNWIND FROM THE ARPT AT AN ALT OF APRX 3000 FT AGL. A SINK RATE OF 1000 FPM DEVELOPED PREVENTING THE PLT FROM RETURNING TO LAND AT THE ARPT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N217BG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N217BG), registered now, S/N 33984-K-217 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Burkhart Grob G-103-II AERO (G-103-II A)
- 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: 33984K
- Airframe hours: 1
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Brian D. Snow
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, June 9, 1985, 1 hours before
- Departed: 9N1, ERWINNA, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 55 total, 35 in this make and model, 45 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 81 °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 19850615028139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850615028139A), Jun 15, 1985: Grob G103TWNASTIR, Erwinna, PA, Substantial damage. Released downwind from airport. Developed high sink rate and ground looped landing in a hayfield.

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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